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  • Grandparents’ online safety tips

Grandparents online safety tips

A recent study found that 4 in 10 grandparents help out with childcare in what has been dubbed ‘granannying’.

To help grandparents get to grips with life online, we’ve created a new Grandparents Guide to Online Safety – offering practical advice to keep kids safe this summer.

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Five quick online safety tips to get you started

1. Know the rules and stick to them
  • Get to grips with what rules are in place for your grandchild when it comes to their technology. Try and keep consistent messaging while you’re looking after your grandchild so they have the same rules surrounding their technology use and what they can and can’t do online
2. Gen Up on Your Technology
  • Get to grips with what devices your grandchildren use – from a smartphone to tablet – and ensure you know how they work.
3. Understand if the tech they’re using is age-appropriate
  • Talk to your grandchild about what apps, games and sites they are using and make sure you know that whatever they are doing is age-appropriate.
4. Check Parental Controls
  • Many parents set parental controls through their broadband – make sure that parental controls are in place on your broadband where necessary. Use device and platform settings to manage in-app purchases and reduce the chance of unexpected bills.
5. Be prepared if something goes wrong
  • Have an action plan in place if they come across something that upsets them online – offer a sympathetic ear so they are able to come to you with concerns and together work out the best way to support them (whether it’s reassurance, setting controls or reporting the incident)

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More to explore

See related advice and practical tips to support children online:

  • Advice for 0-5 years
  • Advice for 11-13 years
  • Advice for 14+ year olds
  • Advice for 6-10 years

On site links

  • Online safety issues
  • Parental Controls
  • Can social media be a force for good when it comes to parenting?
  • Grandparents’ guide to online safety

Related Web Links

  • Online issues
  • Cyberbullying
  • Inappropriate content
  • Sexting
  • Self-harm
  • Screen time
  • Radicalisation
  • Online grooming
  • Online pornography
  • Online reputation
  • Privacy and identity theft
  • Advice by age
  • Pre-school (0-5)
  • Young children (6-10)
  • Pre-teen (11-13)
  • Teens ( 14+)
  • Setting controls
  • Smartphones and other devices
  • Broadband & mobile networks
  • Gaming platform & other devices
  • Social media privacy guides
  • Entertainment & search engines
  • Connecting Safely Online
  • Resources
  • My Family’s Digital Toolkit
  • Online gaming advice hub
  • The dangers of digital piracy
  • Digital resilience toolkit
  • Social media advice hub
  • Guide to apps
  • Accessibility on Internet Matters
  • Digital Matters
  • Schools resources
  • Early years resources
  • Primary school resources
  • Secondary school resources
  • Parent pack for teachers
  • News & opinion
  • Our expert panel
  • #StaySafeStayHome support for families
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