7 tips to protect children online as they return to school

Gen Zers, or digital natives, have grown up alongside an unprecedented social media boom, it has even made it into the classroom. As much as young people love the internet, they may not always recognise false news, fake profiles, and suspicious links. 

When your child goes online, they are vulnerable to cyber bullies, cyberattacks, and strangers. But there are ways to deal with the dangers associated with the darker side of the internet. Some may seem obvious, but as your children return to school and the routine of being online more often, we thought it was a good time to share a refresher with plenty of tips that you can easily implement right now. 

1. Educate 

Teach children the importance of keeping personal information private. Explain why they should never share details like their full name, address, phone number, or school name with anyone online, even if someone seems friendly or trustworthy.

Ofcom research from 2022 revealed that more than a third of internet users are unaware that online content might be false or biased. In the study, Ofcom goes on to say that the rise of social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube is partially to blame for the avalanche of misleading content on the web. There are all kinds of fake news, from false information about your favourite celebrity to biased information about wars in distant countries.  Thankfully, there are plenty of resources to steer your children in the right direction. BBC Bitesize has interactive materials about fake news, and Common Sense has plenty of free tools that boost media literacy. 

It is also a good idea to educate children on what cyberbullying is, how to recognise it, and the importance of not participating in or tolerating such behaviour. Encourage them to report any instances of bullying to you or another trusted adult immediately.

2. Set clear boundaries

Establish rules for internet use, such as which websites are safe to visit, how much time they can spend online, and what content is off-limits. Use parental controls and content filters to help enforce these boundaries. Most social media sites, websites, and apps have parental controls. They allow you to filter or block inappropriate content completely, so your child can navigate the web safely. Parental controls aren’t just good for cyber attacks; they can also protect your child from cyber bullies. According to the Office for National Statistics, an estimated 847,000 (19.1%) children experienced online bullying in 2023. 

You can set up controls for individual apps, but it can be time-consuming. Most people opt for tailor-made parental control apps like Aura, Qustodio, and Net Nanny. Here are a few of Aura’s features. 

• Advice for online safety 
• Cyberbullying alerts 
• Filter and monitor websites and apps
• Set timers on content 
  
  

Aura has more advanced features than most parental control apps. For example, you can block separate channels on YouTube rather than the whole site, so your child can enjoy age-appropriate content without missing out completely. 

Your Zen Fritz!Box router also has parental controls that let you define the times of day your child's devices can be connected to the internet. The customisable features even allow you to set different levels of restriction for children of different ages. Plus, with FRITZ!OS, you can extend their surfing time whenever you want. With each ticket code in the user interface, you can give your kids an extra 45 minutes online.

Parental controls are a firm favourite with families looking to limit screen time and supervise their children's internet explorations. With options to limit total surfing time, and whitelist and blacklist sites, it’s one less thing to worry about when your little ones are online.

3. Encourage open communication

Foster an environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences with you. Let them know they can come to you if something online makes them feel uncomfortable, scared, or confused, without fear of punishment.

4. Highlight the dangers of phishing:

Phishing is a type of cyber attack that deceives people into thinking they are interacting with a legitimate link, survey, document, invoice, or website. Phishing attacks can happen through phone calls, texts, and social media, but the most common avenue is email. When you click a phishing link, all sorts of things can happen. One single click could automatically transmit your location to scammers or download viruses onto your computer. 

Most children aren’t aware that phishing scams exist until it’s too late. Scammers use recognisable logos, email templates, and scary warnings to intimidate vulnerable people into handing over their information. 

5. Monitor online activity

Regularly check your child's online activity, including the websites they visit and the apps they use. This doesn't mean spying, but rather being involved in their online life and ensuring they are engaging in safe and appropriate behaviour.

6. Set your child’s social media accounts to private

Research from the NSPCC found an 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children in the last five years. More than 5,500 of those offences were against primary school children, and 73% of those crimes involved Snapchat and Facebook. 

To safeguard your child against online predators, ensure that their social media accounts are set to private. This means a stranger can’t message your child without being their friend. And, if you monitor your child’s friend requests, you can stop inappropriate messages before they happen. 

7. Lead by example

Model good online behaviour yourself. Show children how to use the internet responsibly, treat others with respect online, and be cautious about what you share. Your actions will serve as a powerful lesson.

Learn more top tips for staying safe online in 2024.