Keeping Children Safe Online – 

A helpful guide from Banana Moon Bromley

• Be aware of the content that your child is exposed to. Talk to your child about what they are interested in seeing and doing online and help them to find age-appropriate websites and apps. Parental controls on your device, in-app or Wi-Fi level are available to block websites and age-restricted content. 
   
• Set limits on screen time. It is important to balance screen time with other activities, such as playing outdoors, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Screen time limits can also be set using the parental controls on your devices. The NHS recommends that children under five have no more than 1 hour of screen time per day.
   
• Talk to your child about online safety. Explain to your child that they should never talk to strangers online, and that they should always come to you if they see anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. You can also use role-playing exercises to help your child learn how to deal with different situations that they might encounter online. Parental controls can also be used to monitor what children are doing online, helping to identify potential problems.
  
  

• Find educational apps and games that are appropriate for your child's age and interests. There are many great apps and games available that can help children learn about different subjects.
   
• Use video chat to connect with family and friends who live far away. Video chatting is a fun way for children to stay in touch with loved ones.
   
• Show your child educational videos on YouTube Kids. YouTube Kids is a filtered version of YouTube that is designed specifically for children. It has a wide variety of educational videos, on a range of topics. 
   
• Read e-books together. There are many great e-books available for children of all ages. Reading e-books together is a fantastic way to bond with your child and encourage a love of reading. 
   

• Model healthy online behaviour. Children learn by watching the adults in their lives, so be mindful of your own online habits. Avoid spending excessive amounts of time on screens and be aware of the content that you share. 
  
  
• Be mindful of your child's privacy. Be careful about what information you share about your child online and talk to them about the importance of protecting their privacy.
   

• NSPCC guide to setting up parental controls: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/

• NSPCC guide to online safety for under 5s: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/advice-and-info/online-safety-under-5s.pdf 
  
  
• Internet Matters guide to online safety for under 5s: https://www.internetmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Internet-Matters-Age-Guide-0-5s-Jan23.pdf

• Childnet guide to online safety for under 5s: https://www.childnet.com/help-and-advice/keeping-young-children-safe-online/?tempid=1326955

• NHS guide to screen time for children:  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/play-and-learning/baby-and-toddler-play-ideas/ 
  
  
• Internet Matters guide to managing screen time for under 5s: https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/screen-time-tips-to-support-0-5-year-olds/