What can I do?
- Make sure your child knows they have a right to be safe online, as well as offline. This will help give them the confidence to tell you if something makes them feel unsafe.
- Talk openly at home about all aspects of your child’s life. It will help your child discuss any worries with you; whether it’s related to their online or offline lives.
- Learn about the platforms they use and what they like doing on them, and talk about any worries you have. This NSPCC website might help.
- Involve your child in making any new rules related to internet use – they’re more likely to stick to them if they’ve played a part in making them.
- Cyberbullying is a big issue for children. In November 2019 the Welsh Government made new guidance on school bullying, which includes cyberbullying.
What should others do?
Social media companies should be doing a lot more to protect children’s rights online.
In February 2020, the UK Government said that the company Ofcom would be responsible for making sure that social media companies do more to protect children online.
We don’t know yet what Ofcom will do to social media companies who don’t keep children safe. The UK Government will decide this later this year.
- The Welsh Government has made new guidance for schools on dealing with bullying, including cyberbullying. It says schools should record every incident of reported bullying to help them see how well their anti-bullying strategies work.
- Your internet provider should help you to understand the parental controls that you could use to help keep your child safe.
- Organisations who work with children have made lots of resources to help parents and children stay safe online. We’ve put some useful links below.
Useful Links
Hwb’s Online Safety Zone
All children and young people registered at a school or college can have a Hwb account.
It is full of useful resources for parents, teachers, and children.
NSPCC – Online Safety
Advice and information for parents, including the risks of online games, supporting your child if you’re worried they’re watching porn, and setting up parental controls.
Safer internet day resources
A large collection of resources helping parents, teachers, and children to stay safe online.
And they’re available in lots of different languages.
Childnet
Tips for parents and carers, including a parent and carer toolkit.
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow has useful resources for young people and parents about staying safe online.
They’re broken up in to different age groups and include games and videos.
Our cyberbullying resources
We also have our own resources for children and young people, specifically on cyberbullying.