Online safety for parents and guardians: how to protect your child in the digital age

Age:

5-7 7-11

Topic:

Money safety

Duration:

0-5 minutes

Subjects:

Numeracy

Learning for life and work

Format:

Article

Media type:

Article

Key skills:

Listening

Problem solving

Staying positive

Protecting your child online is crucial in today's digital world, where scammers and fraudsters are constantly evolving. Here's how you can keep your children safe as they explore the internet.

With children going online at younger ages, it’s essential for parents/guardians to discuss online safety regularly. Fraud is growing in a number of ways. In the first half of 2024, UK Finance reported over £570 million in unauthorised fraud.

It’s not just identity theft and hackers, fraud can now occur in many ways and sadly no one is immune to it. This article helps to inform you of the dangers and outlines the best ways to talk to your children about it.

What Does Fraud Look Like Today?

According to UK Finance, fraudsters use various methods and 72% of fraud cases started online and 16% through telecommunications networks in the first six months of 2024. The impact of fraud is not just monetary – a 2025 Ipsos UK survey for the UK Government found that the most common types of harm experienced by victims were emotional harms – with anger (86%), stress (73%) and anxiety (63%) ranking higher than the impact of the financial loss (57%). Victims’ relationships were often affected with 48% felt a negative trust in the other people.

Scammers often target young people through online games, social media and app downloads. You have to be careful when online because you can’t always be sure what you’re getting or who you’re talking to. Take a few minutes to go through our top tips or visit our Security Centre for more fraud guides. “That could make all the difference between having a happy and safe experience online, or you or your loved ones going through the heartache of losing money to criminals” says Stuart Skinner, Fraud Expert, NatWest.

Just like preparing your child for their first day of school, having open conversations about online safety should be the norm. Young people need to understand both the tools and the risks of the internet.

The Risks to Young People

Most social media sites require users to be 13 or older, but younger children may still access these platforms. According to Ofcom’s report (Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2024), 96% of 12-15-year-olds have a mobile phone, and 92% have their own social media profiles. Parents/guardians need to decide when their children are ready to use social media age restricted games and have conversations about online safety from an early age.

The Golden Rule: Honesty

Encourage your children to talk to you if they encounter anything they’re unsure of online. Being open to having honest conversations is a great way to take the embarrassment or shame that people feel when something happens.

Expert Tips for Families

Liz Stanton MBE, Family Protection Manager at Get Safe Online says “Most children will have learn about online safety at school, but they wont have the life skills to back it up. Luckly, there’s lots of tools and resources out there to protect you and your children against online fraud”. Here’s eight steps she recommends:

Parental Controls: “There are settings for absolutely everything, but you have to be vigilant – are your children using a hand-me-down device that doesn’t have the appropriate settings? Is your family computer shared, in which case does everyone have a private log-in? You also need to keep checking the settings are correct as children are tech savvy and can find their way around them if they want to”.
Talk About It: “Before they use a device for the first time, sit down and talk to your child about it so they know what is and isn’t appropriate. If it’s a game, play it with them: that way not only do you understand the mechanisms of the game but your child will feel able to discuss it with you if anything happens that they’re unsure about. Likewise, agree boundaries of when and how long they’re allowed to play.”
Don't Save Your Details: “Some games will require a bank card in the set up, but don’t save them – that way you won’t be caught out when your child is tempted to buy new add-ons like skins or V-Bucks. Better still, if they have birthday or pocket money, you could load that onto a prepaid card so that there’s a limit to what they spend, and it’s their own money they’re parting with. It’ll make them consider the purchase more carefully.”
Keep Tech Up to Date: “Make sure your devices are running on the most up to date software, and ensure you have antivirus protection – don’t just rely on pop-up blockers and filters. Scammers are always working on new ways to get into your data.”
Turn Off Location Settings: “Many games, apps and websites ask for access to this information in their T&Cs – don’t accept. Better yet, see if there’s a way for your child to access the games without being online as they play.”
Use Strong Passwords: “Encourage your child to come up with a strong password – make sure it isn’t anything do with them, or their favourite things, which makes it easier for others to guess. Ensure they tell you, a trusted adult, but never share it with anyone else – not even friends.”
Gauge the Age: “There’s a good reason why games, apps and social media sites have age restrictions. Ultimately, every parent knows their child and will decide if they’re ready to be active on these. Check out the  Net Aware website   by the NSPCC – it’s a great resource for finding out more about each game or app and will help you assess their suitability.”
Don't Be Afraid: “With so much to think about and so much negative press, it’s easy to forget that this technology can also be really positive, teaching some valuable life skills and encouraging kids to interact. The best approach is always to have an open dialogue and agree family rules up front. Remember that parents have to observe those rules, too – no phones at the dinner table includes you, too!”

By following these tips and maintaining open communication, you can help your child stay safe while they explore the digital world. Remember, it's all about balance —ensuring they understand the risks while also encouraging them to enjoy the benefits of technology.

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