Safer Internet Day 2021 Top Tips for Parents and Carers

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, people are relying even more on online technology.

Due to lockdowns and high-level restrictions, children are spending more time at home and may not be able to see friends and family in person. This makes keeping in touch online extra important.

Many children are spending more time online – and expanding the ways they use the internet. They may join online communities or start using new video-calling platforms. Children who receive support from services may go online to contact social workers, counsellors and others in their support network.

While all this can bring benefits to children's mental health and wellbeing, children can be exposed to risk online.

Safer Internet Day 2021 is being celebrated around the world on Tuesday 9th February 2021.

The global theme is 'together for a better internet' and this year in the UK we are putting the focus on how young people can tell fact from fiction, and work together to create an internet we trust.

Everyone has their part to play in making the internet a better place, including you!

• Talk together – Communication is the key to identifying online misinformation.
• Set an example – Show your child how you question and evaluate online content.
• Think before you share – Fact-check and reflect before sharing content, posts or pictures.
• Check in with your child – How does misleading information they see online make them feel?
• Seek help and support – Ask other parents how they address misleading online content.

To read the full article please go to: www.saferinternet.org.u k