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Online safety starts early

How to support children under-5 online

You can help your Early Years child build good digital habits as soon as they start using devices. See how to help under-5s build media literacy skills to support them as they grow with our 4-part video series created in partnership with EE.

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What is Online Safety Starts Early?

Online Safety Starts Early is a 4-episode series, created with EE, for parents, carers and educators of children in Early Years.

Teaching children to problem solve and think carefully about their actions already starts young. Staying safe online is no different.

This video series teaches parents, carers and educators of Early Years children how to:

  • introduce good digital habits such as balancing device use
  • teach toddlers basic mindfulness like recognising when it’s time for a break
  • set children’s devices up for safe and happy use through a range of parental controls and tools
  • normalise daily conversations and check-ins to create an open space for chats about online safety as children grow.

In partnership with

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Why is tackling online safety important for under-5s?

The internet and connected devices is 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.

Like teaching a child to look both ways before crossing the street, teaching online safety skills young means it will stay with them as they grow.

of under-5s use video-sharing platforms (VSPs) like YouTube.

of under-5s send messages or make video calls on devices.

of under-5s use social media apps or sites.

of under-5s have their own YouTube profile.

Source: Children’s Media Use and Attitudes 2023 (Ofcom) – data on 3-4-year-olds

Graphic showing 92%.

of under-5s use video-sharing platforms (VSPs) like YouTube.

Graphic of 38%.

of under-5s have their own YouTube profile.

Graphic of 48%.

of under-5s send messages or make video calls on devices.

Graphic of 23%.

of under-5s use social media apps or sites.

Source: Children’s Media Use and Attitudes 2023 (Ofcom) – data on 3-4-year-olds

How to keep your toddler 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.

A young child with text that reads 'Good Habits'
A young child with text that reads 'Being Mindful'
A young child with text that reads Device Safety.
A young child with text that reads 'Digital Chats'

A hand holding up a thumb.

Good habits start early

Icon image of the outline of 4 hands holding a love heart.

Supporting mindfulness

Icon showing a silhouette of a person's head with a gear to represent technology and STEM.

Setting up devices for safety

Outline of a traditional light bulb.

Tackling digital every day

Episode 1: Good habits start early

Learn why and how to introduce guidelines, parental controls and conversations into your toddler’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 toddler’s online safety to support them in Early Years and beyond.

Episode 2: Supporting mindful digital use

Help your Early Years 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 toddler’s online safety and development.

Episode 3: Setting up devices for safety

Learn what features your toddler’s favourite devices have to keep them 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 toddler uses.

Choose what best fits with your toddler’s digital use and online safety needs.

Episode 4: Make digital chats a parts of toddler’s everyday

Conversations are so important for children’s online safety. In this episode, learn what kind of conversations you can have with your toddler 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 toddler’s stage of digital use.

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