Keeping Children Safe Online

It is undeniable that the internet is an amazing place to explore, but keeping children safe online has become more and more challenging over the years. Illegal and harmful content and activity are widespread online. 

If your child is surfing the web, you need to be paddling right alongside him — or at least observing from the shore. While the internet offers goodies galore (educational materials, fun games, and connections with people all over the world), it can also pose risks to your child's physical safety and emotional well-being. 

Here's what is appealing — and what's dangerous — about several popular ways kids use the internet, along with suggested rules for keeping kids safe online. The bottom line: communicate with your child. Discuss what she's doing online and why. Set rules, and talk about them. Then keep talking, since your child can earn more rights and responsibilities as she grows. If she feels comfortable with these conversations, she will be more likely to let you know when she runs into an online bully or stumbles upon inappropriate content. While keeping kids safe, be a role model with your own Internet habits, since your child is likely to emulate your behavior.

To navigate this rapidly changing landscape, we need better support systems and open conversations that empower children to thrive while staying safe online.

Online safety

In simple terms, ‘online safety’ refers to keeping yourself and others protected online. It has previously been known as ‘internet safety’, ‘e-safety’, and ‘cyber safety’. However, the Southwest Grid for Learning (SWGfL) recommends the term ‘online safety’, as this more clearly represents the issue.

Online safety is the ability to recognise and understand the potential risks of navigating the internet, as well as having the skills and knowledge to avoid such risks. These could include security threats, such as:

• Hacking.
• Phishing.
• Malware.
• Privacy breaches.
• Theft of personal information.
• Damage to online reputation.
• Harmful and/or illegal content.

Essentially, online safety is about making informed decisions, utilising secure connections, managing passwords safely, avoiding risky online behaviours, and being cognisant of the impact of your digital footprint.

Why is online safety important for children?

Operating within an online space is subconscious for most of us. In today’s interconnected world, the increased digital presence of children has become a normal part of everyday life – with young users being seen on social media, in online gaming spaces, on educational platforms, and more. Research by the Children’s Commissioner’s Office has found that 91 percent of children aged 13 to 18 in England use a social media platform.

This growing exposure to the ever-changing digital world brings certain risks to young people – such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and exploitation – creating a vital need for effective safeguarding measures. Negative online experiences can have a significant impact on children’s mental health, leading to low self-esteem, anxiety, or feelings of isolation.

More recently, there are increasing concerns about the exposure of children and young people – particularly boys – to online pornographic material and misogynistic content. The Children’s Commissioner has suggested that this is the source of increasing levels of harmful sexual behaviour in children and young people.

Furthermore, with the rise in new online technologies such as AI, children and young people are calling for more open conversations and better support related to online safety.

Parents and educators play a prominent role in teaching children how to safely navigate the online world. By monitoring usage, fostering open communication, and promoting responsible behaviour, they can help children build the resilience and awareness needed to thrive in the digital age. Protecting children’s well-being is not just about limiting screen time. It’s about empowering them to make informed choices and stay safe online.

Common online safety risks for children

Children are exposed to a range of online safety risks that parents and teachers must remain aware of to ensure their safety.

Cyberbullying and online harassment

Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or intimidate another person. This can include mean, aggressive, or rude texts, posts, or messages. Cyberbullying also includes posting personal information and posting pictures or videos of another person without their consent, with the intention of hurting or embarrassing them.

Such behaviour can severely impact a child’s emotional well-being, as harmful messages and social exclusion spread across platforms. Cyberbullying can be particularly detrimental and damaging, as it is usually anonymous, or at least difficult to trace.

Exposure to inappropriate content

‘Inappropriate content’ may refer to an image, a video, or written words that can be upsetting, distressing, or offensive. It can include:

• Sexually explicit material.
• False or misleading information.
• Content depicting or endorsing violence, extremism, or terrorism.
• Hateful or offensive material.

Children may encounter inappropriate content accidentally or deliberately. Curiosity is natural, but children may be faced with concepts they are not ready to see. Inappropriate content – whether violent, sexual, or otherwise harmful – poses potential risks to a child’s mental health as well as their emotional and moral development.

Online grooming

Online grooming is a manipulative process by which an individual builds trust and forms a connection online with a child with the sole purpose of exploiting or endangering them – often for illegal or harmful purposes, such as sexual exploitation. Online grooming can happen anywhere in the digital world, including social media and messaging apps, group chat apps, and online games. Nowadays, it is so easy to meet new people online, but it is not always easy to tell when someone is genuine, and it’s always possible that a stranger is trying to trick or persuade a child to do something they may not wish to do.

Phishing, scams, and malware

Exposure to scams is now a regular part of life online for everyone – including children and young people.

The definition of ‘scams’ includes any fraudulent schemes aimed at deceiving people for financial gain or other malicious purposes. Scam tactics include:

• Impersonation.
• Fake giveaways.
• Online shopping scams, such as fake ticket sales.
• Trust trades.
• Romance scams.
• Online financial ‘sextortion’ and phishing.

Phishing is a specific type of scam. It involves the sending of fraudulent communication that appears as a legitimate or reliable source, like someone’s bank, where the attacker tries to trick individuals into sharing sensitive information such as passwords or personal data. This can lead to financial loss, compromised devices, and the theft of personal information.

‘Malware’ is an abbreviation of ‘malicious software’. It refers to any intrusive software, developed by cybercriminals or hackers, designed to steal data or damage your device.

Privacy and data risks

Privacy and data risks most commonly occur when children inadvertently share sensitive information, leaving them vulnerable to identity theft or misuse of their data.

By understanding these dangers and having open conversations with children and young people about safe online habits, adults can empower children to navigate the digital world more securely.

Signs a child might be at risk online

Several signs indicate a child might be at risk when going online.

Behavioural changes

Sudden changes in behaviour, such as becoming withdrawn or overly secretive, could indicate that a child is facing challenges online. Keep an eye out for shifts in their interests, habits, or routines that seem out of character or otherwise concerning.

Frequent or extreme changes in mood – such as unexpected sadness, irritability, or anxiety – could also result from distressing online encounters. Cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, or feeling overwhelmed by online pressures are all potential contributing factors.

Reluctance to discuss online activity

If a child avoids conversations about their online interactions or quickly closes tabs and hides devices when approached, it may signal they are encountering negative or unsafe content. Open, non-judgmental discussions can help create a safe space for them to share.

Signs of cyberbullying

If a child grows anxious when receiving notifications or exhibits a decline in self-esteem, this could indicate they are being cyberbullied. Reluctance to go to school or participate in social activities could also point to online harassment or bullying.

How schools can promote online safety

Schools and colleges can promote online safety by adhering to the following principles:

• Supervise online activities – Always supervise children when they are using technology and accessing the internet. This helps ensure they are not exposed to inappropriate content.
• Recognise age-appropriate content – Ensure that websites, apps, and games are age-appropriate. Check age ratings and reviews before allowing children to use them.
• Use privacy settings – Adjust privacy settings on all devices and platforms to the highest level to protect children’s personal information. Offer guidance to parents on how to use these settings to keep their children safe online.
• Implement time limits – Encourage parents to set age-appropriate time limits for screen use to prevent excessive use and encourage a healthy balance of activities.
• Model safe behaviours – Demonstrate safe internet use and language. Children often mimic adult behaviour, so showing them how to use the internet responsibly is crucial.
• Educate about online risks – Teach children about potential online safety risks, such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and ‘stranger danger’. Use age-appropriate language to explain these concepts.
• Promote digital literacy – Equip children with the necessary skills to navigate the online world responsibly, such as understanding privacy settings and critically assessing online content. This will grant them the knowledge and confidence needed to safely explore digital spaces and handle potential threats.
• Encourage open communication – Create an environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences by encouraging discussion about anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or worried.
• Educate parents on using controls – Controls must be used at home to monitor and manage children's online activities, blocking inappropriate content and limiting screen time.
• Regularly review security settings – Conduct regular checks of all devices and platforms to ensure security settings are up-to-date and functioning correctly.
• Collaborate with parents – Share information about online safety with parents on a regular basis. Keep your website updated with online safety advice and encourage parents to implement similar practices at home to ensure a consistent approach.
• Implement robust policies – A robust online safety policy is essential. It will ensure that there are clear guidelines and proactive measures in place for all staff.
• Establish reporting mechanisms – Schools should implement structured reporting mechanisms that empower students, teachers, and parents to highlight harmful content, cyberbullying, or potential risks.
• Stay informed – Keep up to date with the latest online safety guidelines and resources. This will help you stay informed about new risks and best practices for safeguarding children online.

Legal frameworks and online safety regulations

There are several relevant laws, frameworks, and government guidance that schools and colleges should be aware of and adhere to in relation to online safety.

The Online Safety Act 2023

The Online Safety Act 2023 became law on 26 October 2023. Ofcom, which is leading on the implementation of the Act’s provisions, produced a roadmap in October 2024. The government’s ‘Online Safety Act: explainer’ – produced by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) – emphasises that the strongest protections in the Act have been designed with children in mind.

The Act aims to protect children by placing new duties on social media companies and search services to ensure user safety, limiting access to harmful and age-inappropriate content. This includes bullying, violence, and other inappropriate material. The Act also requires platforms to implement age verification measures to prevent children’s exposure to harmful content.

‘Keeping children safe in education’ (KCSIE)

KCSIE is statutory guidance that outlines the responsibilities of schools and colleges in safeguarding children. Online safety is a major part of the guidance, as children are increasingly exposed to digital risks.

Schools are expected to implement filtering and monitoring systems to protect pupils from harmful online content. Furthermore, the guidance highlights the importance of educating pupils about online safety risks.

The UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

The UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018 are closely related, as they form the basis of the UK’s data protection laws. Both aim to protect personal data and ensure transparency and accountability, while giving individuals control over their personal information.

Conclusion

Teachers play a vital role in promoting online safety and developing a culture of vigilance. However, the role of protecting children and young people is a collaborative effort, requiring strong partnerships with parents and open discussion with children and young people about the dangers of the online world. It is paramount that we bridge the gap between what is taught in schools and what is said at home through robust communication with parents about online safety.

The digital world is constantly evolving. Schools and colleges need to ensure that they are equipped with the right knowledge, tools, and policies to keep children safe online. Whether through comprehensive digital literacy programs, robust safeguarding policies, or seeking external support from trusted organisations, schools must remain proactive in protecting young people in an increasingly complex online environment. By staying informed and working collaboratively, school staff, parents, and safeguarding professionals can create a secure digital environment where children can explore and learn with confidence.