Tips from Internet Matters: How to keep your kids safe online

What is Safer Internet Day?

Created by the UK Safer Internet Centre, Safer Internet Day is the UK’s biggest celebration of online safety. Each year it sees thousands of organisations get involved to promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. 

Each year, Safer Internet Day focuses on a theme and this year the focus is ‘online scams’ – in particular how to spot when something is ‘too good to be true’ and how to protect yourself and others. 

As technology continues to evolve, so do the risks. From sophisticated online scams to AI-generated misinformation, the digital landscape presents new challenges that parents, carers, and young people need to be aware of, such as: 

• Misinformation and fake news: The rise of AI-generated content makes it easier for false information to spread quickly. Young people often use social media for news and are at risk of being misled. 
• AI-driven scams: Cybercriminals are now using AI to create convincing scams which mimic real people making phishing attempts more believable than ever. 

What Internet Matters do to protect children online

That’s where Internet Matters comes in. We support parents, teachers and professionals with comprehensive resources and guidance to help them navigate the ever-changing world of child internet safety. Working with industry leaders, along with experts, government and schools, our website has everything parents need to make children’s online lives fulfilling, fun and, above all, safe.

Top tips for spotting a fake

• Recognise: 

• • Talk to children about common indicators of scams and teach them to be cautious of unusual messages, especially those that create a sense of urgency or offer deals that seem too good to be true. Show them how to check whether profiles and websites are authentic. 

• • Look for obvious tells: Poorly designed websites or those with a lot of ads; strange movement in a video; audio that seems ‘off’; incorrect spelling or grammar. 

• • Use fact-checking tools: If you have any doubt, use the online tools available. Fact-checking sites like Full Fact can help confirm information. 

• React:  

• • Advise children on what they should do if they see a scam or something suspicious, such as telling you. Encourage them to use features on the apps and platforms they use, such as reporting and blocking features. 

• • Before clicking on a link, responding to someone or sharing information, pause and ask: Is this real? Could it be too good to be true? Could it cause harm? Doing simple checks can help you make safer choices online. 

• • Think about the intention: If someone’s trying to sell things or turn people against something, you might need to double-check that information. 

• Resolve:  

• • If they find themselves somewhere that makes them feel uncomfortable in any way, advise them to leave the space and tell their parent or guardian. If a user is making them uncomfortable, encourage them to block and report them.  

• • If children have become a victim of someone’s scam, it’s crucial to act quickly. Change any compromised passwords, notify banks or relevant organisations if sensitive information was shared, and report the incident to Action Fraud and the platform on which it happened 

Parents: how you can support your kids

1) Regular conversations: Talk regularly with your child about their online experiences. Ask about the games they play, the people they talk to, and the content they consume. Keep the dialogue open so they feel comfortable sharing if something goes wrong. 

2) Set up safely: Install parental controls on your broadband and any internet-enabled devices. Most apps have their own parental controls and privacy settings so you can customise what your child can see and do online. 

3) Stay involved: Familiarise yourself with the latest apps, games, and platforms your child uses. The more you understand, the better you can guide them. Encourage your child to use their tech devices in a communal area so you can keep an eye on how they’re using the internet. Ask them to show you or play together to learn about the platforms and teach them good habits. 

In a poll, First News asked readers: ‘Have you ever seen harmful content online?’ and 64% said yes. Protecting each other against this content has never been so important.Parents can help children learn the skills to recognise, react to and resolve scams online at our Online Scams Advice Hub. 

To read more helpful articles like this visit the Talking Points section of our website or sign up for First News at home and at school!