Internet Safety

The internet is an important part of the lives of children and young people. It can provide so many avenues for learning, making friends, and socialising. The internet has many negatives also, where children or young people can access inappropriate or harmful content and become victims to cyberbullying.

Starting the conversation

The best approach parents can have when it comes to internet safety is to begin discussions from early on in their child’s or young person’s use of the internet.

Parents should think of their child’s interactions and experiences online in the same way as they think about their physical whereabouts, where you would typically ask: “Where are you going?” “Who is going with you?” “For how long?”

There are resources that give suggestions for ways to start these conversations, from under 5s through to adolescence:

Keeping the conversation going

For your child or young person, it is essential to give them explicit instructions for how to act online appropriately. Have an honest and open conversation about potential risks and a plan for how to avoid them.

Speak openly about the parental blocks and filters you are using. Explain what they are there for, and how they will restrict the internet for your child. This may mean:

  • Checking the platforms they use and ensuring they meet the appropriate minimum age requirement
  • Using internet filters
  • Having rules in place in relation to time limits, usage, and settings
  • Being consistent and sticking to the rules.

Family Tech Agreement

As your child or young person gets older, you might consider developing a Family Tech Agreement with them. The Planet Puberty website has suggestions on what you might consider including in it: Cybersafety - Planet Puberty as does Playing IT Safe: Parents and Carers | Playing IT Safe Parents Protect (UK) have also developed this Digital Safety Plan: Digital-safety-plan-Shore.pdf (parentsprotect.co.uk)

PLAY IT SAFE GUIDELINES

The UK charity Cerebra has put together this helpful guideline, using the acronym, Play It Safe:

  • P  Personal information - don’t share it.
  • L  Let a trusted adult know - tell someone if anyone asks for your personal information.
  • A  Attachments - beware before opening any attachments.
  • Y  Your feelings are important - if something happens that makes you uncomfortable, tell an adult right away.
  • I  Information - remember that not everything you see online is true. If you are unsure ask a trusted adult.
  • T  Take breaks from the computer.
  • S  Spending money - do not buy things online without permission.
  • A  Act politely - do not say anything online that you would not say to someone in person.
  • F  Friends online should stay online.
  • E  Enjoy yourself.

Resources and further information

Many resources have been developed to support parents, carers, and teachers to discuss internet safety with children and young people. You might find the following highlighted examples helpful in your own discussions with your child or young person.

CDNT 1, CHO7 booklets

Webwise

This is an Irish internet safety initiative focused on raising the awareness of online safety issues and good practice with both parents and children.

National Parents Council:

Internet Safety and Autism Resources

General Internet Safety Resources