网络安全

Our children are spending more time online than ever before, so it is increasingly important that we work together to teach our children how to safely use the internet.

It is crucial that children 而且 young people know how to behave appropriately online to help them recognise when things do not feel right 而且 take action early. As a family you can start by talking openly about how to use the internet safely, 而且 how to seek help if something goes wrong.

What risks might my children experience online?

• 儿童性虐待
• Child criminal exploitation
• Exposure to radicalising content
• Youth-produced sexual imagery (sexting)
• 网络欺凌
• Exposure to age-inappropriate content, such as pornography
• Exposure to harmful content, such as suicide content

These things may seem alarming but there are steps we can all take to reduce the risks to children 而且 young people. Industry bodies like the 英国更安全互联网中心 而且 Childnet国际 have a wealth of useful resources designed specifically for parents 而且 carers. On their sites, you will find toolkits, videos, 而且 practical guides on internet safety.

Self-generated sexual imagery now accounts for almost a third of all child sexual abuse material removed from the internet. These include images of girls aged 11 to 13, whose abuse has been recorded via a webcam. To tackle the rise in self-generated sexual images, the Internet Watch Foundation has launched a new campaign packed full of useful resources for parents.

Advice if something goes wrong

If you are concerned by something that you or your children have seen online, you can report it at reportharmfulcontent.com, powered by the 英国更安全互联网中心 (UKSIC). It covers eight areas of harmful content including self-harm or suicide, 暴力内容, 和色情内容.

Young children who have been affected by something they have seen or experienced online can access help through 儿童热线的, 而且 for older children 混合 offers free 而且 practical advice.

Screen time 而且 mental wellbeing

While it is comforting to know that we can stay connected using the internet, it does mean parents 而且 carers have had to relax their rules on ‘screen time’. UKSIC has published a free template to help parents set boundaries on internet usage that the whole family signs-up to.

UKSIC family agreement template

BBC Bitesize has these great tips on how to manage screen time without clashing.

1. Talk to your child about using the internet safely.
2. Take an interest in the websites, 应用程序, 而且 games they enjoy.
3. Lead by example – use the internet positively 而且 try to ditch the screen when you can.
4. Set age-appropriate boundaries but be realistic!
5. Spend time doing a positive activity together offline.

阅读完整的 BBC一口体积的文章.

Further resources 而且 support

If you want to read more about online safety 而且 the help available to parents 而且 carers, the Department for Education recommends these websites:

• Thinkyouknow
• 互联网很重要
• 父母信息
• PARENTSAFE
• 净意识到