Safe clicks
A practical guide to online safety
Digital technology can give children opportunities to learn, connect and grow.
But they come with real risks.
Online platforms may offer addictive designs: infinite scrolling, short videos with short attention span, highly personalised and targeted content. The amount of time children spend looking at screens has never been so high. And the more time they spend online, the more likely it is that they will be exposed to harmful and illegal content, and online predators.โฏ
๐ฌ
Start the conversation early
The best online safety tool is real, offline communication.
Talk to children regularly about what they do online, who they interact with, and what they enjoy. Show interest in what they like more, their favourite games or videos. Creating an open environment makes it more likely they'll seek help if something goes wrong.
๐กDid you know?
Building trust through everyday conversations can make children more likely to share concerns and seek help if something goes wrong.
๐ฌ
Start the conversation early
The best online safety tool is real, offline communication.
Talk to children regularly about what they do online, who they interact with, and what they enjoy. Show interest in what they like more, their favourite games or videos. Creating an open environment makes it more likely they'll seek help if something goes wrong.
๐กDid you know?
Building trust through everyday conversations can make children more likely to share concerns and seek help if something goes wrong.
๐กDid you know?
Protecting personal data is a core skill for online users. Good management of personal data can protect a child from being tricked or exploited by others.
๐
Teach them to protect personal information
Names, addresses, phone numbers, passwords, school details, and photos can all be personal information.
Help children learn what should stay private and why sharing too much online can be risky.
๐
Teach them to protect personal information
Names, addresses, phone numbers, passwords, school details, and photos can all be personal information.
Help children learn what should stay private and why sharing too much online can be risky.
๐กDid you know?
Protecting personal data is a core skill for online users. Good management of personal data can protect a child from being tricked or exploited by others.
๐ก๏ธ
Set up privacy settings together
Many apps, games, and social platforms offer privacy controls.
Review settings with your child and explain how they can control who sees their content, messages, and profile information.
๐กDid you know?
You can set minor's accounts to private by default.
๐ก๏ธ
Set up privacy settings together
Many apps, games, and social platforms offer privacy controls.
Review settings with your child and explain how they can control who sees their content, messages, and profile information.
๐กDid you know?
You can set minor's accounts to private by default.
Secure this profile. Click on what should remain private.
Emily, 12
๐กDid you know?
Some apps provide report buttons which can alert that app/game that someone has behaved in a way that breaks their rules.
๐ซ
Recognise cyberbullying
Online bullying is never acceptable and children can and should report harmful behaviour.
Parents should encourage children to save evidence, block offenders, and speak to a trusted adult if they experience or witness cyberbullying. Cyberbullying remains one of the major risks facing young people online.
๐ซ
Recognise cyberbullying
Online bullying is never acceptable and children can and should report harmful behaviour.
Parents should encourage children to save evidence, block offenders, and speak to a trusted adult if they experience or witness cyberbullying. Cyberbullying remains one of the major risks facing young people online.
๐กDid you know?
Some apps provide report buttons which can alert that app/game that someone has behaved in a way that breaks their rules.
Cyberbullying: what would you do?
Online situations can be difficult to navigate.
Read the 3 scenarios and decide whether you think it could be considered as cyberbullying.
๐ฅท
Be careful with online strangers
Not everyone online is who they claim to be.
Teach children to be cautious when chatting with people in games, social media, or messaging apps. They should never arrange to meet online contacts without parental involvement.
๐กDid you know?
You can set up parental controls to monitor or limit certain functionalities.
๐ฅท
Be careful with online strangers
Not everyone online is who they claim to be.
Teach children to be cautious when chatting with people in games, social media, or messaging apps. They should never arrange to meet online contacts without parental involvement.
๐กDid you know?
You can set up parental controls to monitor or limit certain functionalities.
Spot the warning signs
Some online messages can contain warning signs that something isn't right. Click on the messages you might think can be unsafe.
๐กDid you know?
There are specific age limitations for social media and platforms. Always check!
๐
Use age-appropriate apps and games
Check age ratings before downloading apps, games, or joining social platforms, if using adult accounts.
Children are safer when using services designed for their age group and maturity level. The EU promotes age-appropriate digital environments for young users.
๐
Use age-appropriate apps and games
Check age ratings before downloading apps, games, or joining social platforms, if using adult accounts.
Children are safer when using services designed for their age group and maturity level. The EU promotes age-appropriate digital environments for young users.
๐กDid you know?
There are specific age limitations for social media and platforms. Always check!
Age ratings tell you who content is suitable for.
Content warnings explain why.
Recommended ages
3+
7+
12+
16+
18+
Age guidance can help parents make informed choices, but it's also useful to understand the types of content children may encounter.
Tap the cards below to explore common content warnings found in games and apps.
Violence
Violence
May include fighting, weapons or physical conflict.
Fear
Fear
May contain scenes that younger children could find frightening.
Gambling
Gambling
May contain betting-style activities, games of chance or gambling-related themes.
In-app
purchases
In-app purchases
Allows purchases of virtual items, upgrades or extra content.
Strong
language
Strong language
May include offensive or inappropriate language.
Discrimination
Discrimination
May contain discriminatory behaviour or stereotypes.
Substance
references
Substance references
May include references to alcohol, smoking or drugs.
Adult
themes
Adult themes
May include mature relationships or themes intended for older audiences.
๐ค
Explore AI together
From creating images to answering questions, AI apps are becoming a bigger part of children's digital lives.
AI chatbots are friendly but canโt be true friends.
Exploring these tools together can help parents understand how they work, discuss online safety and encourage responsible use.
๐กDid you know?
Free apps often collect a lot of data or are financed by advertising.
Pay close attention to which apps you choose to use.
๐ค
Explore AI together
From creating images to answering questions, AI apps are becoming a bigger part of children's digital lives.
AI chatbots are friendly but canโt be true friends.
Exploring these tools together can help parents understand how they work, discuss online safety and encourage responsible use.
๐กDid you know?
Free apps often collect a lot of data or are financed by advertising.
Pay close attention to which apps you choose to use.
What can AI do?
Create images or videos
AI can turn simple text instructions into pictures and videos in seconds. Avoid sharing AI creations that can look like real and deceive others.
๐กDid you know?
You can disable features that contribute to excessive use, such as communication "streaks" , "read receipts", autoplay, or push notifications
โ
Balance screen time with offline life
Technology should support children's wellbeing, not replace healthy habits.
Encourage breaks, outdoor activities, hobbies, sleep, and face-to-face social interaction. Excessive screen time can affect physical and mental wellbeing.
โ
Balance screen time with offline life
Technology should support children's wellbeing, not replace healthy habits.
Encourage breaks, outdoor activities, hobbies, sleep, and face-to-face social interaction. Excessive screen time can affect physical and mental wellbeing.
๐กDid you know?
You can disable features that contribute to excessive use, such as communication "streaks" , "read receipts", autoplay, or push notifications
Build a balanced day
A healthy online life is about balance. Choose activities to create a balanced day for a child.
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง
Encourage reporting and asking for help
Children should know that they can always tell a trusted adult if they encounter something upsetting, confusing, or inappropriate online.
Reporting harmful content, suspicious messages, or unsafe behaviour helps keep both themselves and others safer. The EU's approach focuses on protecting, empowering, and supporting children online.
๐กDid you know?
In the EU, the child helpline number is 116 111. Making your child aware of this is important as there may be times they want help from someone other than you.
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐ง
Encourage reporting and asking for help
Children should know that they can always tell a trusted adult if they encounter something upsetting, confusing, or inappropriate online.
Reporting harmful content, suspicious messages, or unsafe behaviour helps keep both themselves and others safer. The EU's approach focuses on protecting, empowering, and supporting children online.
๐กDid you know?
In the EU, the child helpline number is 116 111. Making your child aware of this is important as there may be times they want help from someone other than you.
Create your family online safety plan
Choose the commitments you would like your family to follow. Build a personalised online safety plan together.
โ๏ธ๐ค
Tip
Avoid sharenting
Think twice before you share
They just want to see the baby. Your parents. Your friends. Your followers. One tap, and the photo is out there, forever. But where does it really go? Who saves it? Who uses it? Who sells it?
Once itโs online, you canโt take it back.
Online safety isn't one conversation:
it's an ongoing journey.
By talking openly, setting expectations and staying involved in children's digital lives, parents can help create safer and more positive online experiences for the whole family.