With more young people using the internet for home schooling or to stay connected to family and friends during the coronavirus pandemic, parents may feel concerned about the activities and content their children are accessing.
The Government has provided guidance for parents and carers to help keep children safe online and where to go to receive support and advice, available at GOV.UK. The guidance will help parents talk to their child about a range of online safety issues, set up home filtering and parental controls on digital devices.
There is also information and advice around some of the safeguarding issues which children and young people may face online, including cyber bullying, radicalisation and age inappropriate content.
Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "While there are huge benefits to being online, it is important that parents are aware of what their children using the internet for. Many young people are currently spending more time on the internet online to access learning or keep in touch with others, so please make sure they are doing so in a safe and secure manner."
The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at GOV.UK and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at Coronavirus advice and information. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves and their families from coronavirus from the NHS at Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The council’s Stay Safe, Be Kind campaign offers clear and simple advice about how people can help themselves, and how they can support others who may be particularly vulnerable at this time. For more information, please visit Stay Safe, Be Kind.
