Online Safety Alert: Keeping Children Safe from Harmful Content

The online world can be a great place for learning and fun — but it can also expose children to harmful or inappropriate content. Please take a moment to help keep the young people in your life safe.

👧👦 What You Can Do as a Parent or Carer

1. Talk openly about online activity 

Have regular, calm conversations about what children watch, play, and share online. Make it normal for them to come to you if something feels wrong.

2. Use parental controls and privacy settings 

Most devices, apps, and broadband providers offer free controls that limit what children can see. Setting these up only takes a few minutes but can prevent harmful content appearing.

3. Check age ratings on apps, games, and social media 

Many platforms contain content not suitable for children and have minimum age limits (usually 13+).

4. Encourage children not to share personal information 

Remind them never to share their full name, school, address, photos, or location.

5. Know where to report harmful content

If you see something concerning: 

🔹 Report directly on the platform** (every major app has a reporting tool) 

🔹 Report harmful online content (http://www.reportharmfulcontent.com) 

🔹 Report online child sexual abuse imagery (http://www.iwf.org.uk)

⚠️ Spot the Signs Something May Be Wrong

*   Sudden secrecy about online activity

*   Using devices late at night

*   Becoming upset or withdrawn after being online

*   Receiving messages from people you don’t recognise

If you're concerned about a child’s safety, contact police on **101**, or **999 in an emergency.