Online Safety Advice for Parents

When parents think about improving screen time, the obvious answer is often to reduce it. Sometimes that helps. But it is only part of the picture. Children can also use technology to make things, learn new skills, talk to people they care about, solve problems, explore interests and discover things they want to try in the real world. That is what we mean by healthy screen time activities for kids: digital experiences that add something to childhood rather than simply filling

A child drawing on a tablet and a child endlessly scrolling short videos might both be described as having “screen time”. But are they really having the same experience? Not all screen use asks the same things of a child. Some digital activities involve making decisions, solving problems, communicating, creating or learning. Others ask very little beyond continuing to watch or swipe. That is where the idea of active vs passive screen time becomes useful. It does not mean that

If you have ever wondered how much screen time should kids have, you are far from alone. Screens are now part of childhood. Children use them to learn, play, talk to family, create things, watch programmes, explore interests and increasingly to communicate with friends. That can make the usual question — “How many hours is too many?” — surprisingly difficult to answer. For younger ch ildren, current UK guidance does provide some clear numbers. For school-age children, however

Screen time can mean almost anything. It can mean an hour of endless short-form videos. It can also mean video-calling a grandparent. It can mean scrolling through a feed designed never to end. Or composing a song. Drawing a picture. Building a game. Learning about wildlife. Solving a puzzle with a friend. Looking something up, then going outside to explore it. Those experiences may all involve a screen. But they are clearly not the same. For parents trying to make sense of p

The UK’s planned social media ban for children under 16 will depend on platforms being able to distinguish children from older users. That makes UK social media ban age verification one of the most important—and most sensitive—parts of the new rules. Parents understandably want to know whether children will need identity documents, whether adults will also face checks, and what will happen to any personal information collected. Some details have now been confirmed. Others, in

Cyberbullying can enter family life very suddenly. A child may become upset after receiving a message, withdraw from a friendship group or reveal that something embarrassing has been shared about them. Parents often feel pressure to act immediately—and to fix everything at once. But your first response does not need to be perfect. It needs to help your child feel safe enough to keep talking. We wanted to create some cyberbullying advice for parents to help them navigate this

What age should a child start social media? It is a simple question without one universally correct age. A birthday alone does not tell you whether a child is ready to manage private information, cope with social pressure, question what they see or ask for help when something goes wrong. The design of the platform matters just as much as the age and maturity of the child. For families in the UK, the decision is also changing. The Government plans to prevent certain social med

For years, parents have been told how to make social media safer for children. Now a different question is becoming increasingly important: What can children use instead of social media in the first place? For families looking for social media alternatives for kids, the best answer may not be another social network at all. It may be a mix of safer ways to connect, create, play, learn and belong online. That question is particularly relevant in the UK. The Government has annou

Choosing a child’s first social app can feel surprisingly complicated. Many apps describe themselves as safe, private or suitable for children, but those words do not always mean the same thing. To choose a safe social media app for kids, look beyond the age rating. Check who can contact your child, whether accounts are private by default, how guardians are involved, what information the app collects and whether its design encourages healthy use. The safest option will not si

What You Need to Know About the Ban There is not yet a final, legally confirmed list that shows which apps will be affected by the UK social media ban. The government intends to use a model similar to the one introduced in Australia. Its current guidance names Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, and X as examples of platforms included in that model. That makes these services likely to be affected, but being named as an example is not the same as appearing in final

When kids start exploring the digital world, it’s natural to worry about their safety online. Finding a social app that protects children while letting them connect and learn is a challenge many parents face. I want to share what I’ve learned about safe social apps for kids, especially for ages 6 to 10. These apps can help children build friendships, develop skills, and enjoy their time online without exposing them to risks. Why Safe Social Apps Matter for Kids Kids today g

Why Social Media Safety Matters for Kids Kids between 6 and 10 are at a stage where they are learning how to connect with others. Social media can help them build friendships and learn new things. But it can also expose them to risks like: Meeting strangers who might not have good intentions Seeing content that is not right for their age Sharing too much personal information without knowing the consequences Spending too much time online and missing out on real-world activi

Social media is everywhere, and kids are curious about it. But the usual platforms can be risky for young children. As a parent, I want to help kids enjoy online connections safely. That means finding or creating spaces where they can share, learn, and have fun without exposure to harmful content or strangers. Let’s explore what a safe social media alternative for kids looks like and how it supports healthy online habits. Why Kids Need Safe Social Media Spaces Kids today grow

Eye-level view of a child using a tablet with parental controls on screen Keeping kids safe online is a top priority for many parents today. The internet offers amazing opportunities for learning and fun, but it also comes with risks. Children aged 6 to 10 are curious and eager to explore, but they need guidance to navigate the digital world safely. I want to share some essential online safety tips for parents that can help you protect your child while encouraging healthy onl

We’re proud to partner with The Ad Village to help build a safer digital ecosystem for children. Together, we’re strengthening protections around advertising so parents can be confident that inappropriate products and messaging never appear in their child’s digital world.