Online (E-Safety) Safety
Top tips for talking to children about staying safe online
1. Start with the positives
Being online can be a great way for children to learn, be creative, and stay connected with friends and family. Recognising these benefits helps keep conversations balanced and encourages confident, safe use of technology.
2. Find the right time and place
Choose a calm moment to talk, such as during a walk, car journey, or shared activity. Avoid starting the conversation when emotions are high or during a disagreement.
3. Use child-facing resources and advice
Support your conversation with age-appropriate tools, videos, or guides. These can help children understand key messages and make the discussion more engaging and relevant to their stage of development.
4. Ask about their experiences
Use open questions like:
- ‘Have you seen anything online that made you uncomfortable?’
- ‘Who do you chat with online?’
- ‘Are they people you know offline?’
- ‘How do you feel when using certain apps or games?’
5. Make it part of everyday life
These chats don’t need to be formal or one-off. Regular, relaxed conversations help children feel supported and more likely to speak up if something worries them.
How to keep children safe online - NSPCC
Online safety tips for parents of primary school children 6-10-Year-Olds
Online safety guidance:
