Under 5s checklist    

START setting some boundaries now - it’s never too early to do things like set limits for the amount of time they can spend on the computer

KEEP devices like your mobile out of reach and make sure you have passwords/PINs set up on them for the times you might lend them to your child...or for when they simply get hold of them themselves!

CHECK the age ratings and descriptions on apps, games, online TV and films before downloading them and allowing your son or daughter to play with or watch them

EXPLAIN your technology rules to grandparents, babysitters and the parents of your child’s friends so that they also stick to them when they’re looking after your child

REMEMBER that public Wi-Fi (e.g. in cafes) might not have Parental Controls on it - so, if you hand over your iPad to your child while you’re having a coffee, they might be able to access more than you bargained for

SET the homepage on your family computer or tablet to an appropriate website like Cbeebies

6-9 checklist    

CREATE a user account for your child on the family computer with appropriate settings and make the most of Parental Controls and tools like Google SafeSearch

AGREE a list of websites they’re allowed to visit and the kind of personal information they shouldn’t reveal about themselves online (like the name of their school or their home address)

DECIDE time limits for things like using the internet and playing on games consoles

BEAR in mind what older siblings might be showing them on the internet, mobiles, games consoles and other devices and agree some rules as a whole family

TALK to other parents about their views on things like what age to buy kids a mobile and don’t be pressured by your child into letting them use certain technologies if you don’t think they’re old enough or mature enough...no matter how much they pester you

FAMILIARISE yourself with age ratings and descriptions on games, online TV, films and apps, so that you can be sure your child is only accessing age-appropriate content

10-12 checklist

MAKE sure you’ve set some tech boundaries before they get their first mobile or games console - once they have it in their hands, it can be more difficult to change the way they use it

REMIND your child to keep phones and other devices well hidden when they’re out and about to minimise the risk of theft

TALK to them about what they post and share online - written comments, photos and videos all form part of their ‘digital footprint’ and could be seen by anyone and available on the Web forever

DISCUSS the kind of things they see online - this is the age when they might be looking for information about their changing bodies and exploring relationships, for example

HOLD the line on letting your son or daughter sign up for services like Facebook and YouTube that have a minimum age limit of 13 - talk to other parents and their school to make sure everyone is on the same page

REMIND them that they shouldn’t do anything online that they wouldn’t do face-to-face

Pupils: Before you go online please read these points regarding online safety.    

• Do Not give out your Real name        
• Do Not give out your address or telephone number
• Do Not give out your photo
• Do Not give out your school name
• Do Not give out your email address or any passwords