What is BBC Bitesize?
What parents need to know
Bitesize is a free educational resource created by the BBC, designed to support children aged 3 to 16. Learn how it can support your child’s learning.
In this guide
What is BBC Bitesize?
Bitesize is a free educational resource created by the BBC, designed to support children aged 3 to 16. Children can access lessons, revision guides, videos and games on the platform, with different resources being available for each age group.
In addition to educational tools, Bitesize also offers wellbeing support to help children with issues they may encounter, such as dealing with bullying or managing screen time. It also provides career advice to help older teens plan their future.
Teachers and parents can also find advice on Bitesize, including stories, expert advice and activities to help support children.
BBC Bitesize is available through a web browser and can also be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
How it works
On the Bitesize platform, users can select the area they want to focus on, with options including Primary, Secondary, Careers and Teachers. Students choosing Primary or Secondary can filter resources according to key stage, and the UK country they live in. This can then be further filtered by specific school year to find resources that are relevant to the student.
There are a wide range of subjects on the platform, ranging from core subjects such as maths and biology to more unique topics, including Mandarin and hospitality.
Resources available on the platform include:
- Lessons and study guides
- Educational videos
- Quizzes
- Revision guides
- Games and interactive activities
- Wellbeing advice
- Careers advice
- Teacher resources
These resources can be accessed for free through a web browser without creating a BBC account. If using the Bitesize app, users must create or sign in to their BBC account. Like other BBC platforms, Bitesize does not feature any advertisements.
BBC Bitesize parental controls
BBC Bitesize does not have dedicated parental controls. This is because the content is educational, intended for children and young people and there are no social features.
Consider using device level controls to help manage your child’s screen time. This can help prevent children from spending excessive amounts of time playing the games on the platform.
Benefits of BBC Bitesize
- Free to use
- Huge library of educational content
- Learning resources for ages 3-16
- Resources for parents and teachers
- Wellbeing and career advice
- Entertaining activities
What to watch out for
Bitesize is an educational resource designed for children and young people. Because of this, there are relatively few risks on the platform. However, there are still some things parents should consider if their child uses Bitesize.
Although the platform is designed for young people, the age range of intended users is a wide one, ranging from young children to older teens. Because of this, younger children could access content on the platform that they might find confusing or disturbing, such as resources based around topics like the Holocaust. If your young child uses Bitesize, have regular conversations about what they are doing on the platform. This can help you stay aware of the content they are accessing and give you an opportunity to guide them to resources that are suitable for them.
Some resources on Bitesize are designed to provide entertaining learning, such as games and interactive activities. While this can encourage children to spend more time learning, it could result in increased screen time. Settings time limits through your child’s device settings can help you balance their screen time.
