Empowering vulnerable families to get connected and stay safe online

Internet Matters Team | July 8th, 2020

We work collaboratively across industry, government and with schools to reach UK families with tools, tips and resources to help children benefit from connected technology smartly and safely.

With millions of families struggling to juggle parent duties and homeschooling, we have provided some low-cost and free resources and tools to make the best use of tech and stay safe online during this challenging time.

Affordable devices, resources, and tools
Free homeschooling resources (includes SEND resources)
Extra support

Affordable devices, resources, and tools

Devices

FutureDotNow has created DevicesDotNow, an initiative to help households with no internet access or have been digitally-excluded to receive tablets, smartphones, sim cards, to name a few. Also, check out our DevicesDotNow online safety guide.
BT is helping disadvantaged children with homeschooling, offering six months of free internet access.
If you do not want to pay outright for a mobile phone contract, you can opt for a cheaper option and get a sim only deal.
Handing down the phone to one of your children? Check out o2 for more information about getting the device safe for your child.
Money Saving Expert has a link to cheap eBook readers and Kindles and free Kindle comic books and graphic novels.

Tools

Preventing in-app purchases – Apple App Store & Android devices.
You can also check out a list of digital wellbeing and parental control options via our Connecting Safely Online site.

Free homeschooling resources

General curriculum-based

BBC Teach has thousands of free curriculum-mapped videos, arranged by age-group and subject for free.
BT Skills for Tomorrow has a range of free and easy courses about tech.
If you have Sky, why not check out the Sky Kids Home Collections series of educational topics ranging for Foundation to Key Stage 2 ages.
BT has teamed up with ITV to create Top Tips on Tech.
Google Teach from Home has provided a hub for teachers and families tools and tips to help keep kids learning.
The Department of Education has provided a list of resources broken down by subject.
Register for free for Barefoot Building Skills for Tomorrow primary computing curriculum resource.
Not part of the curriculum, but Samsung Kids lets you shape a safe environment for your child to happily explore and connect with the world. With family-friendly activities.

SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) resources

BBC Parent’s Toolkit: SEND.
GOV.UK has advice for parents and carers looking after children with SEND.
NSPCC has advice for parents on supporting SEND children during COVID-19.
Mencap has a list of free guides, including easy read versions.
Support for parents of children with SEND from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
NASEN has a range of resources available for download.
Chatterpack has some great curriculum-led resources.
The Learning Disabilities Senate as pulled resources to support families/carers of people with learning disabilities through the Coronavirus restrictions.

Online safety resources

Our Connecting Safely Online site has a full collection of guides for parents, carers and young people.
We have a host of resources for parents and young people on our Guide and Resources Hub.
Our Parental Controls Hub will help you to set up the right controls and privacy settings on the networks, gadgets, apps, and sites they use to give them a safer online experience.
Although, lockdown restrictions have eased across most of the country – our #StaySafeStayHome Hub for a variety of resources and advice broken down into topics.
Home activity packs from ThinkUKnow for early years right through to secondary school age to support online safety learning at home.

Extra support

StarLine – A national helpline has been set up by the government for parents struggling with homeschooling and managing their child’s behaviour during the pandemic. Call StarLine on 0330 313 9162 (calls charged at local rate). Open six days a week.
SupportLine’s work supporting vulnerable people with concerns over Covid-19. Call SupportLine on 01708 765200 or visit: https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/coronavirus-covid-19/
For single-parent families – Gingerbread, a charity, has provided great and up-to-date resources. Call Gingerbread helpline on 0808 802 0925 or visit: https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/
Mencap has specific advice and resources for families with learning difficulties.
Parents who have difficult living situations – YoungMinds offers great support for families dealing with separation, lack of physical space, and abuse.
WorkingFamilies.Org.UK has some fantastic resources and advice for working families.
MindEd is a free learning resource about the mental health of children, young people and older adults.
GOV.UK has guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus.
Rise Above has some great resources such as videos, reading materials and games for children and young people about general life and wellbeing.
The government’s tax-free childcare – you currently can receive up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year) per child. Cash can be used to pay for childminders, nurseries, nannies as well as after school clubs, play schemes and home care