We know it can be tough to stay on top of kids smartphone use, especially if they are just starting their digital journey.
So, we’ve put together simple but practical things you can do today to take action and keep them safe.
Quickly do these 3 things to help children stay safe with their smartphones and other devices. Then, when you have more time, you can explore the safety resources below.
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Setting parental controls, agreeing digital rules and having online safety conversations can empower your child take ownership of their online safety and tackle any issues they face.
Stay on top of online safety issues and the latest safety settings.
GET YOUR TOOLKITBefore agreeing to get your child their own smartphone device, there are some things to keep in mind to minimise risk and enhance the benefits.
Most social media and entertainment platforms require users to be 13 or older. This includes platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. Pretending to be older will leave children open to risk.
Android devices come with Digital Wellbeing while Apple devices come with Screen Time. Individual companies will have additional safety settings -- like Samsung Kids or Google Family Link. Set these features up to improve your child's smartphone safety.
TikTok has Family Pairing, Snapchat and Instagram have their own Family Centres and Roblox has Allowed Experiences controlled via a Parental PIN. All of these features are safety tools that you can set up to keep your child safe on their smartphone.
If your teen is honest about their age, they will benefit from additional safety on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Pretending to be an adult means they miss out on these features.
Online games apps like Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft are often about community and socialisation, not just playing games. The ability to chat and communicate with others means it's important to review in-game safety before they play.
WhatsApp is a popular messaging app that children use. However, users must be 13 or older to use it. Additional messaging apps like Telegram might have different age requirements to safety considerations that you should look into.
Explore additional guides to help children take ownership of their online safety while using smartphones and other devices.
From cyberbullying to pornography, stay on top of online issues to help keep kids safe.
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