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

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.

Young people in the UK are facing overlapping crises. From worsening mental health and social division to fears about the future, especially climate change. The digital world often makes these problems worse, as it wasn’t built with children’s well-being in mind. Digital stewardship is essential in promoting healthy development of children. Traditional responses, like banning or limiting screen time, don’t work well. Research shows these restrictions can backfire, failing t

What do your children know about the online world? How often do you speak about it? Social media is everywhere, it’s difficult to avoid, and kids are naturally curious. They want to get involved if their friends are using it; they want to know what’s happening. Talking to kids about social media is important - keep reading to learn how. So how do we keep them safe without the constant arguments about what they can or can’t do online? It’s all about trust, communication,

As parents, we want our children to enjoy the benefits of being online, without stumbling into the dangers. The first step is to be aware of the risks. So, let’s break down everything you need to know about staying safe online and how to make it a team effort between you and your child.