Online safety for early years (under 5)

Talk to your child about what the internet is and explore it together. Show them all the good things they can do. And keeping telling them that if they see anything upsetting, they should come and talk to you.

Keep devices out of reach and set passwords on all your devices and don’t share them. Then you can ensure you’re in control of when your young child can access the internet. Passwords can also help avoid accidental purchases when they’re playing games or using apps.

Make sure your child uses their tablet or other device only when you’re around. Ask them questions about what they see or do to help them stay safe. This can help you keep on top of their interests and digital activities too.

Choose safe, fun and educational sites and apps for your child. Use age ratings in the app stores to check suitability. Make use of video, learning platforms and video games or services designed with children in mind. Browse our skill building apps for inspiration.

Activate parental controls on your home broadband. Most Internet-enabled devices also offer parental controls. For example, you can set controls on iPads and other tablets. Popular apps and platforms also have in-built content controls, which can keep them from seeing inappropriate videos and other content.

It’s never too early to start setting boundaries. Set some rules about how they use connected technology, including which apps and sites they can use and how long they can spend on them. We’ve created a family agreement template that you can use to get started.