Online Safety

Our children use the internet much more than previous generations and the safe use of the internet brings many challenges for parents and schools.Current advice for parents and carers from Dorset Police Safer Schools and Communities Team (SSCT) is available for download at the bottom of this page and covers a range of topics.

Safer Internet Day 2024 took place on the 6th of February 2024, with celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online’. Useful guidance and resources for parents can be found here:

Safer Internet Day 2024

The following links are also a useful starting place for specific issues.:

  1. Do you have questions about online safety? Look at the NSPCC website or contact the NSPCC phone helpline on 0808 8005002.
  2. Did you know you can set up age appropriate parental controls on your home broadband? Find out more.
  3. Ensure your children are using appropriate websites, apps and gamers using age ratings and review sites such as Common Sense Media or for games PEGI game rating or Ask about games
  4. Do you and your children understand the risks of livestreaming? Find out more from ThinkUKnow
  5. What should you do if your child sees something upsetting online? Follow the advice on UK Safer Internet Centre blog.
  6. How many hours a day do you think is acceptable for your child to be on devices? Find out more from Childnet
  7. How well do your young people know their contacts on their social networking sites, games or their media? Keep talking to them about who they communicate with … Not sure where to begin – Check out these conversation starter tips from Childnet
  8. Download the termly Online Safety Newsletter for Parents produced by Dorset Police Safe Schools & Communities Team.
  9. Looking for good online safety information for your 9 to 12-year old? Try the BBC #OwnIt website or app for lots of different articles, videos and ideas to help your child navigate the online space safely
  10. Does your child need advice and support after being bullied online? Look at StopSpeakSupport or Childline
  11. Do you have a child using Tik Tok? This app can be fun, but there are risks. Find out more in the parent guide from ParentZone
  12. How do you encourage your child or young person away from their screens and be more engaged in family time?  For ideas visit the FID

The most recent edition of ‘Digital Parenting’ magazine from Vodafone also an excellent, accessible resource. It can be downloaded from here. or by clicking the index page below. The previous year’s edition is also still available here and is equally useful. Aside from the magazine, the whole Vodafone Digital Parenting site is well worth a visit for current information and advice.