Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day 6 February 2024

Safer Internet Day takes place in February of each year to raise awareness of a safer and better internet for all, and especially for children and young people.

Apps, films, gaming devices can be both educational and entertaining, but it is important it is appropriate for the child’s age. As a parent is important that you put the appropriate controls in place to ensure children are not accessing unsuitable films, apps and games.

The World Health Organisation recommends that children under the age of 2 years should not use digital devices at all. For children aged 2 to 5 years they recommend screen time is spent with an adult for a maximum of an hour a day.

This year the UK Safer Internet Centre is organising celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Inspiring change? Making a difference, Managing Influence and Navigating Change Online’.

They are celebrating by putting children and young people’s voices at the heart of the day and encouraging them to shape the online safety support they receive.

Parents, carers, teachers, government, policymakers, and the wider online safety industry are being encouraged to listen to children and young people and make positive changes together.

Created in consultation with young people across the UK, this year Safer Internet Day will be focusing on change online, this includes covering: 

1) Young people’s perspective on new and emerging technology 
2) Using the internet to make change for the better 
3) The changes young people want to see online 
4) The things that can influence and change the way young people think, feel and act online and offline 

Deciding what’s appropriate for children to see online

The online world gives us access to a huge amount of information and services, but the scale of information available also means that there is content that is inappropriate for children. What is or isn’t appropriate is up to individual parents and carers to decide, and could be based on things like age, ability, beliefs and family values.

What are parental controls?

Parental controls allow you to block and filter upsetting or inappropriate content. They work across your WiFi, phone network, individual apps and devices. You can advice on how to do this by following the link below.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/