Watching and browsing online

Use parental controls to limit access to content suitable for your child’s age group. Most platforms, like Netflix, YouTube Kids, and BBC iPlayer, offer child-friendly settings that block inappropriate videos and shows.

Tip: Regularly review settings as your child grows older and their interests change.

Spending too much time online can lead to tiredness, reduced focus, and even affect emotional well-being. Establish screen time limits to ensure a healthy balance between online and offline activities.

Ideas for balance:

• Encourage device-free meals and bedtime routines.
• Set a daily limit for streaming or browsing.
• Use timers to remind kids when it’s time to take a break.

Watching and browsing together lets you guide your child’s choices while creating opportunities to bond and discuss what they’re consuming.

Ways to get involved:

• Share family-friendly shows or YouTube channels you both enjoy.
• Discuss what they’ve watched—ask questions about characters or lessons from the content.
• Use educational videos as a springboard for learning new skills or exploring interests.

Help your child understand the importance of staying safe while exploring the internet. Encourage them to stick to trusted sites and avoid clicking on unfamiliar links or ads.

Top tips for safety:

• Use child-friendly browsers or search engines like Kiddle or Swiggle.
• Explain the risks of sharing personal information online.
• Show them how to recognise and avoid fake news or clickbait.

Talk regularly with your child about what they have been searching for or watching online. This can give you an insight into potential risks and make your child more comfortable coming to you for support if they have any concerns.

Top tips for safety:

• Keep conversations casual, like how you’d ask about their offline life.
• Choose natural moments to talk, such as at dinner or in the car.
• Be calm if they share something concerning, otherwise they might not share in future.

Whether your child can browse the internet alone depends on their age, maturity and their device setup. Many sites, such as social media platforms, are intended for users aged 13+, so children should follow these minimum age requirements.

For younger children, try exploring the internet alongside them or ensure they use a child-friendly browser like Swiggle.

Setting parental controls on your child’s device or home broadband can reduce the risk of them seeing inappropriate content while browsing.

Learn how to set parental controls.

If your child tells you that they have seen something inappropriate, it is important to stay calm and avoid coming across as judgemental. If your child feels that you are blaming or punishing them, they may be less likely to come to you for support in future.

Help them report or block any content that is inappropriate. Specific sites can be blocked using broadband parental controls or by using a monitoring app.

Try using the internet alongside your child to show them how to browse safely online. Talk to them about which signs to watch out for hen choosing whether a site is trustworthy.

For younger children, use a child-friendly browser such as Swiggle to reduce the chance of them seeing inappropriate content.

Check the age ratings and content advice before your child watches content on a streaming platform. Most streaming services use BBFC age ratings, and you can familiarise yourself with these ratings here.