Online safety starts early
How to support children under-5 online
You can help your young child build good digital habits as soon as they start using devices.
Use this series to learn how you can help your little one build media literacy skills which support them as they grow.
What’s on this page
- Why tackling online safety for under-5s is important
- Episode 1: Good habits start early
- Episode 2: Supporting mindful digital use
- Episode 3: Setting up devices for safety
- Episode 4: Making digital chats a part of children’s everyday
Why tackling online safety is important for under-5s
Research shows that devices are a part of every child’s life as they grow. From playing games to learning skills, tech offers a wide range of benefits.
However, connectivity also means risk that could lead to potential harm. As children grow, they will have more accounts and use more devices, which could increase the chance of online harm.
Teaching online safety skills as soon as your child uses any kind of tech – from smart TVs to tablets – means it will stay with them as they grow.
Like teaching them to look both ways before crossing the street, there are small things you can do now to support them before independent screen use.
A note about screen time
The UK government advises no screen time for under 2s. For children aged 2-5, it recommends no more than 1 hour per day. Keep this in mind if allowing your child screen time. Put offline activities first and use screen time only to support those offline activities.
How to keep your little one safe online
Ready to start? Choose a topic to start introducing online safety and media literacy to your child under 5. We recommend watching one video and then following the related resources to take action before moving onto the next.
Episode 1: Good habits start early
Learn why and how to introduce guidelines, parental controls and conversations into your young child’s online life. Help them build and develop positive habits to support them as they grow.
Resources to help you take action
Now that you’ve watched the first episode, here are some resources to act on what you learnt. Choose what works best for your child to support them in Early Years and beyond.
Episode 2: Supporting mindful digital use
Help your young child understand how devices and screen time makes them feel.
Learn about teaching mindfulness, talking about the content they watch and finding patterns in how screen time makes them feel.
Resources to help you take action
Now that you’ve watched the second episode, here are some resources to take action. Choose what works best for your little one’s online safety and development.
Episode 3: Setting up devices for safety
Learn what features devices have to keep your young child safe and secure online. From in-built features to additional apps, see what you can do to create a safety net during screen time.
Resources to help you take action
Now that you’ve watched the third episode, find below some resources and guides to safely set up the devices your family uses. Choose what best fits with your child’s digital use and online safety needs.
Episode 4: Making digital chats a parts of children’s everyday
Conversations are so important for children’s online safety. In this episode, learn what kind of conversations you can have with your little one to help them stay safe online, especially as they grow.
Resources to help you take action
Now that you’ve watched the final episode, start talking! See our collection of resources for talking digital with your child. Choose what works best for your child’s stage of digital use.
More in advice by age
Supporting resources
How to choose content for under 5s
Screen time advice guide (under 5)
Guide to games (0-5)
Under 5 age guide
Setting up devices for under 5s
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