The Parents' Guide to Safer Internet Day
- Jan 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 22
Safer Internet Day takes place each year promoting internet safety and digital literacy, especially for children and young people. It takes place on the second Tuesday in February; this year it's on 10 February. Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre, the day sees thousands of organisations get involved to promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. This year's theme is ‘smart tech, safe choices’, with a focus on exploring the safe and responsible use of AI.
Parents play a pivotal role in teaching and influencing how their children use the internet safely and responsibly, so this article outlines how you can help.
The internet is a fabulous resource providing many opportunities for learning; however, there are risks too. Safer Internet Day helps to reinforce key messages about the importance of internet safety and responsible online behaviour. It's a chance for people to discuss emerging online issues, such as cyberbullying, internet fraud, inappropriate content and online privacy. Schools are encouraged to take part to help promote the safer use of digital technologies with activities including workshops, events, online discussions and campaigns.
As a parent, it’s important to be aware of the risks your child may face when using the internet. Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to talk to your teen about the importance of staying safe online, and to provide them with tools and resources that will help them do so.
Here are some tips for helping to keep your child safe online:
1. Educate yourself
Stay up to date on the latest online trends and technologies, so you can better understand the risks your teen may face. Take time to explore internet safety tools and resources with your child, such as parental control settings and privacy settings. Why not start by checking the recommendations from the UK Safer Internet Centre?
2. Nurture open communication
Establishing a trusting relationship with your teen is essential for maintaining a healthy dialogue about their online activities. Make sure they feel comfortable talking to you about what they’re doing online and their experiences. This may involve more listening than telling them what to do (and what not to do), because if they feel you're going to be critical when they discuss something, they might stop communicating. Keep an eye on issues raised in films, dramas and soaps they enjoy. This can provide a more relaxed, non-confrontational way of discussing sensitive topics and finding out what your teen thinks.
3. Set clear rules and boundaries
Set limits and rules for online activities, such as what sites they can visit, who they can talk to, and how much time they can spend online. Make sure your teen understands the rules and the consequences for breaking them. Obviously this is age sensitive, so start early to get them into good online habits while you're still able to influence their online activity. As they get older, you can still offer advice, but it gets more difficult to enforce rules.
4. Monitor their activity
Check in on your teen’s online activity from time to time. Pay attention to what websites or apps they're using, and the content they're viewing or sharing. If they're keen to hide their activity from you, there's a good chance they're doing something they know you wouldn't like. Find out independently about the apps and games they're using most, so you understand what they're about.
5. Teach good digital hygiene
Help your teen understand the importance of maintaining a positive online reputation, and the reality that their digital activity may remain permanently accessible even if they've deleted texts, photos or apps. Check they understand the potential risks of sharing too much personal information.
6. Encourage responsible use of social media
Talk to your teen about the potential risks of using social media, such as cyberbullying, online predators, identity theft, sexting and scams.
7. Be a role model
Encourage your teen to be a responsible digital citizen by setting a good example yourself. Don’t post things online that you wouldn't want them to post, don't prioritise online activity over people in the room, and be mindful of why you might not want to share with them what you're doing online.
As parents, it's important to be aware of the potential risks and dangers teens may face while using the internet, and to take steps to protect them. That's not to suggest being online is a bad thing but, like driving a car, it's important to understand the risks as well as the rewards. Help ensure your teen has a safe and positive experience online so they can enjoy the wonderful wealth of experience online life can provide.
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