There’s help out there for parents who want to keep their children safe online

With the use of internet devices rising, knowing how to keep children and young people safe online is becoming an even greater challenge.
Picture by PixabayPicture by Pixabay
Picture by Pixabay

While the online world provides the opportunity to play, learn, create and socialise, to children online friends seem like real friends and online life seems like real life, leaving them more open to the risk of online abuse.

A new UK-wide study conducted by Chrysalis Research surveyed 4,730 parents of eight 13-year-olds and 4,048 of their children between October and December 2019.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The questionnaire conducted on behalf of O2 and the NSPCC revealed that being cyber-bullied is children’s greatest fear online yet there is still a reluctance from them to seek help.

The NSPCC would encourage parents and carers to have conversations with their child about their online life just as you would about their day at school.

It can be daunting to know where to start but O2 and the NSPCC also offer a range of free online resources like Net Aware, a website which explains the social networks, apps or games that children are using most frequently.

The partnership have also developed a booklet offering the latest practical and simple tips on the risks children might face on the internet, and advice about what parents can do to keep their child safe. The booklet is now available in more than 450 O2 stores nationwide.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Children concerned about online bullying, or any other issue, can contact our Childline service online or by calling 0800 1111.

At the NSPCC we are also campaigning through our Wild West Web campaign for an independent regulator to be introduced across the UK. We can all do our part to keep children safe online but we also need to hold tech giants to account and implement tough consequences if they fail.

Emma Motherwell,

NSPCC Campaigns Manager for Sussex

Related topics: