Online Safety

Why it matters

Young children are curious. At preschool age they may use devices for short educational videos, video calls with family, simple apps and supervised games. Online safety for this age is mostly about choosing child-friendly apps, supervising device use, and teaching simple rules such as “tell a grown-up if something makes you upset."

Quick practical tips

• Keep devices in shared spaces so you can see what your child is watching or playing.
• Use age-appropriate apps and videos (look for preschool/early years labels).
• Set short time limits — make screen time predictable and part of a routine.
• Turn on safe search & parental controls on browsers, devices and the home router.
• Talk simply: “If you see anything that makes you sad, tell me.”
• Download and print a family agreement — a visual poster with rules works well for little ones.

Conversation starters

• “What did you watch today?”
• “Who did you see on the screen?”
• “Tell me if anything online ever makes you scared or sad.”

If something goes wrong

If you see harmful content, contact the platform first (use report buttons). For illegal content, or if a child is at risk, use CEOP/Thinkuknow reporting and local police guidance https://www.ceop.police.uk/ceop-reporting/

For support removing sexual images or exploitation material, the Internet Watch Foundation and Report Remove partnership can help.

• Internet Watch Foundation
• Report Remove

Free downloads and resources

Here are trusted UK resources with free leaflets and printable guides for parents:

• UK Safer Internet Centre — Parents & Carers Guide
• Conversation Starters for Parents & Carers (UK Safer Internet Centre)
• Safer Internet Day Parent & Carer Pack (UK Safer Internet Centre)
• Childnet — Parents & Carers Resource Sheet (PDF)

Parental controls

Step-by-step guides to set up devices and apps safely:

• Internet Matters — Parental Control Guides
• UK Safer Internet Centre — Parental Controls Overview

Trusted organisations

• UK Safer Internet Centre
• Childnet
• CEOP / Thinkuknow
• NSPCC — Online Safety
• Internet Matters

Immediate help

If a child is in immediate danger contact emergency services.
For online sexual exploitation or grooming, report to CEOP.
For illegal images or harmful content, use Report Remove / IWF routes.