How can I keep my child safe online? NSPCC shares guidelines

From tomorrow, July 25, new tightened Ofcom rules say so-called “risky” sites and apps will be expected to use “highly effective” age checks to identify which users are children and subsequently prevent them from accessing pornography, as well as other harmful content including self-harm, suicide, eating disorders and extreme violence.

The regulator said sites such as X, formerly Twitter, and others including Bluesky and Reddit have also committed to age assurances. It said it has launched a monitoring and impact programme focused on some of the platforms where children spend most time including social media sites Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, gaming site Roblox and video clip website YouTube.

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The sites are among those which have been asked to submit, by August 7, a review of their efforts to assess risks to children and, by September 30, scrutiny of the practical actions they are taking to keep children safe.

But some online safety campaigners said while the new measures should have been a “watershed moment for young people”, regulator Ofcom has instead “let down” parents, accusing it of choosing to “prioritise the business needs of big tech over children’s safety”.

The NSPCC has warned that Ofcom must “show its teeth and fully enforce the new codes”.

Chris Sherwood, chief executive at the NSPCC, said: “Children, and their parents, must not solely bear the responsibility of keeping themselves safe online. It’s high time for tech companies to step up.”

He said if enforcement is “strong”, the codes should offer a “vital layer of protection” for children and young people when they go online, adding: “If tech companies fail to comply, Ofcom must show its teeth and fully enforce the new codes”.

How to keep children safe online - NSPCC advice

The NSPCC has also issued advice for parents on how to keep their children safe when going online.

"Building up trust between a parent and child is crucial to a safe online life. Parents should show an interest in what their children do online and have open conversations about the potential risks online," it says. 

"It is also important that the growing independence children have as they get older is respected. There are plenty of ways that parents can support their children to be safe online and have conversations about this topic.

"A great first step that parents can take is having regular, age-appropriate conversations with their children about their online lives. These conversations can be difficult, so here are some tips:

1. Stay calm, balanced and non-judgemental – don’t tackle the conversation when you’re feeling highly emotional.
2. Talk to someone else about it. Your child’s school can be a great source of information, particularly the class teacher and the Designated Safeguarding Lead. You can always contact the NSPCC for advice.
3. Keep listening, try not to interrupt even if there is a period of silence. They may be thinking how they word something.
4. Children often talk of being punished. For example, if they open up to you and say that they have seen explicit content by accident, they are scared of their devices being removed from them. This is seen as a punishment and consequence for something that was out of their control. This is a judgement call that needs to be carefully handled.

It can be hard to tell what’s accurate online or real, especially if it has been shared by accounts we trust. It’s important to remind your child that not everything they see online is real and encourage them to always check before they share. Here are some things you should encourage them to do:

• Check the source - Always check where it has been shared from and the date it was shared. Does it come from a reputable account or organisation that they’ve heard of? Could the image or video have been edited? Encourage them to check different sources like other news or fact-checking websites such as Full-fact or Snopes and compare information. Also think about whether it conflicts with your own knowledge of the topic.
• Talk to them regularly - Having regular conversations with them about what they’re doing online can help to open up the conversation about what is and isn’t real online. Try asking them about some of the challenges they take part in with their friends or ask them to show you their favourite online challenge.
• Look at a range of resources - Often online platforms will show us content based on what we like. Try to encourage your child to look at a range of different resources to learn and access new information.
• Don’t share if you aren’t sure - If your child sees something online that worries or upsets them encourage them to not re-share. Remind them they can speak to you, another trusted adult, or a Childline Counsellor if they have questions about something they’ve seen. If they come to you, and you aren’t sure, you could try speaking to your child’s teacher or contact the NSPCC Helpline to speak to an advisor.

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It may also be worth considering other options available, including parental controls. Parental controls allow you to block and filter upsetting or inappropriate content. They work across your WiFi, phone network, individual apps and devices.

Ensure you have this conversation with your child so it’s seen as a joint decision what controls are put in place, rather than a one-sided decision. Parents can find advice on how to set up parental controls on the NSPCC website.

For further tips and advice, visit the NSPCC’s Online Safety Hub. Adults with concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk.