Young children (6-10)

Online safety advice

Early use of digital technology has been shown to improve language skills and promote children’s social development and creativity. However, it’s not without risks for young children.

Unfortunately, they may come across inappropriate content, share personal information or begin to copy what older children do online, which might put them at risk. We’ll help you to understand what you can do to give young children aged 6-10 the best experience of going online.

Display video transcript
supporting primary schoolers online

six to tens

`{`Music`}`

between the ages of six to ten it's

likely your child

might get their first connected device

perhaps a games console or a tablet

so take the time to have regular chats

with your child about their well-being

and safety online

this will help them develop coping

strategies to deal with online risks

and encourage them to make safer choices

`{`Music`}`

online

set up parental controls on your home

broadband as well as any

internet-enabled devices that your child

has access to

our setup safe parental control guides

will walk you through the steps

so you can get set up in just a few

minutes don't forget to check that any

online accounts are password protected

if you're concerned about the time your

child spends online

many devices and apps will have inbuilt

controls to help you set limits

on when they should be using them and

for how long ensure your child maintains

a good balance of online and offline

activities

and that their online activities are

positive and have purpose

it's helpful to agree some rules with

your child to encourage them to develop

good digital habits for the future

if you're looking to give them their own

devices choose ones that offer

child-friendly content and tailored

parental controls to give them a safer

space to explore online

don't forget that gaming consoles also

offer internet access

so it's important to set parental

controls

be involved with your child's internet

use this will make it easier for you to

advise them on issues they might

experience

and for them to share concerns about

anything that may upset them

encourage them to question what they see

online to build their critical thinking

create a user account for your child

that only allows access to the sites and

apps you've chosen

you could also set your home page to a

child-friendly site

such as an educational site like bbc

bite size

or a safe search engine like swiggle

activate

safe search settings on sites like

google and youtube

and encourage them to use child friendly

apps like youtube kids

many popular games involve playing

online with others

so be aware that your child may be

creating an online presence

age ratings on games and apps are a

helpful way of establishing if they are

age appropriate

and use the strictest privacy settings

if they're playing free to play games

make sure to set a password on your app

store account to restrict

in-app purchases and avoid getting

caught out with a big bill

as soon as they can share and interact

with others online

talk about what information they should

and shouldn't share

discuss what it means to be a good

digital citizen

and emphasize the importance of

developing a good digital footprint

some children may find themselves

bullying or being bullied online

so it's important to talk to them about

being a good friend online and where to

get support if they need it

remind them that they can talk to you or

a trusted adult if they have any

concerns

because safety on the internet matters

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Internet safety checklist for young children

Use our list of practical tips to help children aged 6 to 10 to have a safer online experience and build up their resilience to get the best out of the digital world as they grow. You’ll also find a range of helpful tools and expert tips for further support.

Checklist: Supporting 6-10-year-olds online

Agree boundaries

Be clear what your child can and can’t do online – where they can use the internet, how much time they can spend online, the sites they can visit and the type of information they can share. Agree with your child when they can have a mobile phone or tablet.

Explore together

The best way to find out what your child is doing online is to talk with them about what they do and what sites they like to visit. Ask them to show you or play online games together to learn about the platforms and teach them good e-safety habits.

Put yourself in control

Install parental controls on your home broadband and any internet-enabled devices to manage internet safety. Set up a user account for your child on the main device they use and make sure other accounts in the household are password-protected so that younger children can’t access them by accident.

Use airplane mode

Use airplane mode on your devices when your child is using them so they can’t make any unapproved purchases or interact with anyone online without your knowledge.

Stay involved

Encourage them to use their tech devices in a communal area like the lounge or kitchen so you can keep an eye on how they’re using the internet and also share in their enjoyment.

Talk to siblings

It’s also a good idea to talk to any older children about what they do online and what they show to younger children. Encourage them to be responsible and help keep their younger siblings safe.

Search safely

Use safe search engines such as Swiggle or Kids-search. You can save time by adding these to your ‘Favourites’. Safe search settings can also be activated on Google and other search engines, as well as YouTube.

Check if it’s suitable

The age ratings that come with games, apps, films and social networks are a good guide to whether they’re suitable for your child. For example, the minimum age limit is 13 for several social media sites, including TikTok and Instagram. However, there are some social media platforms made for children which they can use safely.

Why it matters: Facts & Stats

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Talking digital

of parents have spoken to their child regarding online safety in the last month

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Tablet ownership on the rise

of this age group now have one of their own, up from 35% the previous year (2017)

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YouTube viewing platform of choice

of children in this age group say they prefer to watch YouTube content rather than TV programmes on a TV set

Resources document

See our parenting digital natives report to get more insight on parents concerns about their children’s digital lives.

Featured recommended resources

Learn about what young children might be doing online

What issues might affect young children?

Here are some of our favourite internet safety resources to help you learn more about e-safety for 6-10 year-olds and pass on the message to them. We’ve also highlighted some fun and educational apps to get them learning online.

Guides and resources for parents

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ThinkuKnow

Guidance from CEOP on how to talk together as well as giving practical and technical advice

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NSPCC

Tips, advice and conversation starters for parents to help keep children safe on the internet. Dedicated pages help parents to become more aware when it comes to social media and sharing personal information.

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Parent Info

Parent Info is a collaboration between CEOP and Parent Zone. It provides high quality information to parents and carers about their children’s wellbeing and resilience. Schools can host the content on their own website and use it in any other ways (in letters to parents etc) that they want.

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Google safety tools for families

Set ground rules with Google Family Link and use a range of safety tools to help the whole family build good online safety habits.

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Internet Matters Wellbeing Apps guide

We’ve scoured the best of the net to uncover popular (FREE) wellbeing apps available to download.

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Young Minds parents helpline

Young Minds Parents Helpline is available to offer advice to parents and carers worried about a child or young person under 25. Call 0808-802-5544 to get support.

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Social networks made for kids

See our list of child-friendly social media apps designed to help children learn how to interact with each other and share safely online.

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Supporting Young People Online

Information and advice for parents and carers on supporting young people online. The leaflet is available to download in multiple languages.

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Samsung Kids

Samsung Kids allows parents to set a PIN lock, create a child profile, and set daily time limits on the Samsung Kids. This is available for Samsung tablets and smartphones available from the Android 9.0 Operating System. It allows you to help shape a safe environment for your child to explore and connect with the world.

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O2 and NSPCC online safety helpline

From setting up parental controls to reporting online bullying, you can call the free helpline on 0808 800 5002, or visit an O2 Guru in store.

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BBC iWonder Guide

As part of our new partnership with the BBC, we’ve worked together to create an interactive guide to give you practical tips on how you can keep your children safe online. It covers 7 key areas such as “Taking control with tech” and “What kind of parent am I?”.

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Digital Parenting

Vodafone’s Digital Parenting website provides free checklists and practical advice on keeping children safe online. There is also an annual magazine that is made once a year which you can also receive.

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Switched on Families

As children start to use the internet more at this age, this interactive guide has advice and top tips for keeping primary school children safe online.

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Guide to Monitoring apps

With the help of Pocket-lint’s Andy Robertson, we’ve given tips on how best to use them and reviewed the top apps available.

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Parenting in the Digital Age 

Parent Zone has introduced a new online parenting programme, Parenting in the Digital Age. This is free to parents and carers whose children attend schools that have taken out Parent Zone Digital Schools membership.

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American Academy of Pediatricians 

Use the AAP’s ‏tool to create a family media plan to help you to think about media & create goals & rules that are in line with your family’s values.

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OYOTY 

A new personal digital assistant to help your child stay safe online.  It looks out for their safety through Intervention and education. When he finds unsafe behavior, personal data or inappropriate content posted by your child on social networks, he alerts them, with a ‘think-again’ message and works with them to take immediate action on the matter.

Online safety activities to do with your child

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Digital Matters

Explore the parents and children section of Digital Matters to work on in-depth e-safety topics such as online bullying, screen time and sharing personal information. The platform uses interactive quizzes and a choose-your-own-adventure story to keep kids aged 9-11 engaged.

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Google Interland

This is an adventure-packed online game that makes learning about internet safety interactive and fun. In Interland, children can learn about avoiding badly-behaved hackers, phishers, and bullies by practicing the skills that they need to be confident online explorers.

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Play Like Share animated series

This is a three-episode animation for 8-10 year olds helps them to learn how to spot pressuring and manipulative behaviour online and to stay safe from other risks they might encounter online.

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Find the Fake quiz

Select an age-appropriate quiz to play as a family (parents versus children) to learn and test your knowledge on what fake news, disinformation and misinformation is and how to stop it from spreading.

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BBC Own It

Own it covers everything from online privacy and avoiding malware, through to dealing with everyday dilemmas children face online, as well as having fun. Quick links to charities and organisations like Childline, whose phone lines and online chat can provide urgent support should children need it, will also be available.

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Internet Matters App

An interactive online safety app designed to help parents talk about online safety issues with their children, and to ensure that they make smart choices to stay safe online. Free to download for Apple.

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Band Runner

Band Runner is a fun interactive game that helps 8-10 year olds learn how to stay safe from risks they might encounter online.

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Stay SMART

Five tips from Childnet about staying safe online plus links to other videos and games for primary age children.

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The Online Together Project

Take this short quiz with your child to help them recognise how hate and stereotypes can impact them in online spaces and encourage them to respect and celebrate differences.

Apps to encourage learning, creativity, and development

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BBC iPlayer Kids

BBC iPlayer Kids app gives children easier access to their favourite programs, while parents can be confident they’re watching shows appropriate for their age and free from adverts.

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YouTube Kids

Great for young kids, this child-friendly version filters out inappropriate content and hides comments on videos giving parents peace of mind and a child a safe online viewing experience.

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Sky Kids App

The Sky Kids app offers a fun and safer way for pre-schoolers to nine year olds to enjoy a wide range of popular kids TV. Parents have been involved in the development of the Sky Kids app. The result is an app that kids will love, supported by safety features that parents need.

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Duck Duck Moose Apps

Duck Duck Moose Apps are Free educational apps that allow young children to explore and learn in a safe and fun environment. The range of apps covers; reading, emotions, maths, creative expression and play.

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CBBC Apps

From Horrible Histories to The Dumping Ground: On A Mission app, CBBC apps are packed full of fun activities that will engage young children and help them learn through play.

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Azoomee

New tablet app for primary school-aged children to watch their favourite shows, play exciting games, learn new skills, draw and safely send messages to parent-approved friends and family.

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Band Runner

Band Runner is a fun interactive game that helps 8-10 year olds learn how to stay safe from risks they might encounter online.

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Stay SMART

Five tips from Childnet about staying safe online plus links to other videos and games for primary age children.

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Samsung Kids

Samsung Kids allows parents to set a PIN lock, create a child profile, and set daily time limits on the Samsung Kids. This is available for Samsung tablets and smartphones available from the Android 9.0 Operating System. It allows you to help shape a safe environment for your child to explore and connect with the world.

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Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame

This is a digital wellbeing app using Sesame Street’s monster character to share with your child to help teach skills such as problem-solving, self-control, planning, and task persistence.

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