Digital Safety For Parents

We teach children to use the internet and other technologies safely, and we show them how to behave in an appropriate manner.  They know what to do if they feel uncomfortable with anything they see or hear either online or through other technology such as mobile phones.

It is really important that parents and carers work with us to ensure children stay safe in their use of technology.  When we talk about digital safety, we are not just talking about the internet.  We are talking about the use of computers, games consoles (such as Xbox), mobile phones, televisions, tablets (such as the iPad) and many other things.

Ask your child what they have learnt in Digital Safety this year – the more they talk about it at home and you are aware of it, the greater digital citizens they will be!

On this page you will find useful websites to support you with digital safety at home, downloads of useful leaflets and guides, and videos showing the dangers of the internet and how we can make it safer for children.

Seeing coverage of upsetting world events in the news, online or on social media can be distressing for children, especially in today’s 24-hour news cycle.  But there are things parents can do to help children make sense of them:

Help your family stay safe online with Vodafone's Digital Parenting magazine.  This magazine provides parents and carers with the latest useful information and advice regarding online safety.  View the latest and previous issues below:

In partnership with Andersen Press, Vodafone have produced digital copies of three great digital safety books - Chicken Clicking, Troll Stinks and Old Macdonald Had a Phone, written by author Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Tony Ross.  The books explore themes of internet bullying, managing screen time and being mindful of internet predators in fun and engaging stories.

Download the books for free below along with a fun activity sheet.

Most of the popular social media services require users to be at least 13 years of age before they can register, although some sites are created especially for children under 13.

The age requirements are there for a number of reasons:

• Data protection laws - Online services are not allowed to collect or store children’s personal information if they are under the age of 13. Data protection laws also say that only children aged 13 and over can sign up to online services without parental permission.

• Social and emotional skills and maturity - It’s important to think about your child’s current social and emotional skills and their maturity. Often, young children cannot deal with the pressures, risks, emotions and unpredictable nature of using social media and cannot use it responsibly.