Our children’s safety is best ensured by having an ongoing discussion between parents and children about their use of technology. Before children use a new app parents should:
Listen
Take an active interest in your child’s online life and talk with them about how they use technology.
Ask your child why they want to use the app? How did they hear about it?
Discuss with them how they will keep themselves safe and make sure they know:
How to block and report other users and content
To speak to a trusted adult if they see anything or something happens online that makes them feel worried, upset or uncomfortable.
About websites such as ChildLine and CEOP? www.childline.org.uk and www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Functionality
Make sure that you understand how the app works so you can decide if you are happy for your child to use it. You may even wish to set up an account yourself first.
Consider:
Does it allow video chat or the sharing of images?
Does it allow user to communicate with ‘random’ strangers?
Does it allow anonymous chat?
Does it allow in-app purchases?
Can you restrict access to the content that your child shares?
How will your child’s personal data be used by the app?
Reviews
What do other people (i.e. other parents and carers) have to say about the app?
Ask your friends and family members or take a look online. You may be able to find reviews via search engines or using tools such as www.net-aware.org.uk and www.commonsensemedia.org
Age Restrictions
You can usually find age restrictions within the apps terms and conditions. This is not the same as the app/google store rating.
The age limit for many popular social networking sites is thirteen. This is due to American Legislation called COPPA. The age limit is not based on suitability of content and instead applies to any website, app or online service which collects, stores or uses children’s personal information. Some apps will have age limits of 18+ as they are exclusively designed for use by adults.
If children use apps that are aimed at an older age group then this may leave them vulnerable to being exposed to unsuitable content (including advertising), as well as being contacted by strangers.
Safety
Many popular apps will have ‘help’ and ‘safety’ sections, either within the app itself or via its website. Some apps will even have content specifically designed for parents and carers.
www.saferinternet.org.uk has some useful parent guides which highlight safety tools on popular devices, and signpost to report mechanisms.
Does the app have any privacy settings? If so then help your child to apply them appropriately – for example is it possible to set the app so that only trusted friends can see information they post?
Explore the block and report features. Can your child block or report concerning users or inappropriate behaviour?
If the app doesn’t have safety or help sections or doesn’t provide the ability to report and block then you may wish to consider if it is safe for your child to use.
Boundaries
Talk to your child about safe and appropriate online behaviour.
Consider setting up a family agreement regarding how their internet use will be supervised and how long they can spend online. Resources to help can be found at www.childnet.com and www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/
Apply appropriate parental controls to all devices: www.saferinternet.org.uk and www.internetmatters.org
Discuss your expectations about the types of content and information they should share online, rules relating to adding friends and meeting people in real life.
Do they understand:
That content posted online should never be considered to be private and may be copied and shared?
That they should behave online the same as they would in “the real world” and be kind?
How to be secure online such as by using safe and strong passwords. You can visit www.getsafeonline.org.uk for more advice
