Online Safety

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Internet Police

Age Limits for Websites and APPs

Do you know how old you need to be to visit some of the most popular websites and Apps?

13 Years Old and Above
– Twitter
– Facebook
– Instagram
– Snapchat
– Minecraft
– Roblox

16 Years Old and Above
– WhatsApp

18 Years Old, or 13 with Parent’s Permission
– TikTok
– YouTube

Primary aged school children are NOT allowed on any of these websites.

It is always better to wait until the required age to join any social media service. These rules around age relate to privacy, but also are relevant to safety. Some services offer additional protection for users who are registered as under 18, and by supplying a fake age young people can potentially lose some of this protection. Young people also risk being exposed to content which is intended for older users when they use sites that are not designed for people their age.

Additionally, if a service finds out a user is underage then they may delete the user’s account and any content which has been shared.

Social media services are popular with young people of all ages. Parents have an important role in helping prepare their children to go online before they start to use social media platforms. Together you can look at the key things they need to know about staying safe online, critical thinking, and the safety settings that are available to them.

Parental Online Safety Guides for Social Media

A Parents’ Guide to Instagram

A Parents’ Guide to Snapchat

A Parents’ Guide to Twitter

A Parents’ Guide to Facebook

A Parents’ Guide to YouTube

A Parents’ Guide to Roblox

Online Safety Guides at a Glance

Click on a poster to enlarge/download.

Online Safety For Children

Resources for Children in School and at Home

Hector’s World (EYFS-Y2)

The SMART Crew (EYFS – Y6)

Band Runner Game (Y3 – Y6)

Have a look at these wonderful stories. Just click on the book covers below to open the e-book.

Childline is yours – a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything.

The Digizen website – “Information for young people to strengthen their awareness and understanding of what digital citizenship is and how to become a responsible Digital Citizens.”

UK Safer Internet Centre – A useful eSafety Guide

Think-U-Know (Y6+)

Online Safety For Adults

Advice for parents to help protect their children online in the home

Keeping Young Children Safe Online (UK Safer Internet Centre) – A useful eSafety Guide for parents

Young Children and Screen time – a good start – A guide for parents

Report Harmful Content Website

The ‘Digital Parenting Guide’ from Vodaphone “Read about the very latest technology and challenges in our new magazine – our Expert View articles, ‘How to’ guides and Take Action checklists will help you to stay up-to-date and feel more confident about getting involved.”

Are you a ‘sharent’?

Lancashire Safeguarding Children Board

The Cybersmile Foundation website (The Cyberbullying Charity)

Avoiding Ratting – Remote Access Trojans

Anti-Bullying Alliance

Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) – Criminal content can reported to this organisation

“The Parents Guide to Technology from the UK Safer Internet Centre has been created to answer these questions and introduce some of the most popular devices, highlighting the safety tools available and empowering parents with the knowledge they need to support their children to use these technologies safely and responsibly”.

Advice for parents and carers on cyberbullying

A guide from Google to show parents how they can protect their family online.

How to set up the parental controls offered by your internet provider (UK Safer Internet Centre)

The parents section of the Know IT All website. The site contains information about positive ways young people are using different technologies, what the risks are to users and it outlines practical advice in avoiding or minimising risks when using online and mobile technologies.

Parents Guide to Children Safety Online

NSPCC Share Aware – Help your child stay safe on social networks, apps and games.

O2 & NSPCC – Your Child’s Online World – A guide for parents

Facebook Family Safety Centre

The Digizen website – “This provides information for educators, parents, carers, and young people. It is used to strengthen their awareness and understanding of what digital citizenship is and encourages users of technology to be and become responsible Digital Citizens.”

The Marie Collins Foundation – “The Marie Collins Foundation (MCF) is the UK charity enabling children who suffer sexual abuse and exploitation via internet and mobile technologies to recover and live safe, fulfilling lives.”