As cyber threats and online exploitation continue to evolve, equipping parents, carers, and guardians with the right knowledge is more important than ever. Children face increasing risks online, including social media threats, online grooming, and cyberbullying.
The current Netflix drama ‘Adolescence’ has highlighted the complex challenges that all parents face and the dangers that lurk online for children and young people. This guide provides parents, guardians, and carers with information to start a conversation to ensure that children and young people know they can seek support from their family, when they need it.
Recent statistics show that:
- 91 per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds now own a smartphone.
- The average time children report spending on their phones is four to six hours.
- 1 in 4 young adults show signs of behavioural addiction to smartphones.
Cyber and Fraud Hub’s guide has been designed to give parents and carers a clearer understanding of social media, gaming platforms and communication methods that children use every day, often without adult oversight. From popular apps and games, to messaging platforms, the guide offers practice advice, explanations of commonly used terminology and step-by-step tips on setting up parental controls.
Most importantly it encourages open and informed conversations between adults and young people, about the digital spaces they are in.
Key topics covered in the ‘Keeping Children Safe Online’ guide include:
- Different social media platforms including Snapchat and TikTok and safety features.
- How video games such as Twitch, Minecraft and Roblox work and the way to change video settings.
- Router parental control advice.
- Privacy add-ons and settings in browsers and mobile phones.
