Six expert tips to keep your kids safe on their mobiles – how to deal with bullies and sexting
SCHOOLS in England have been given new guidance intended to stop pupils using mobile phones while on the premises.
The Government said the move was part of a plan to “minimise disruption and improve behaviour in classrooms”.
But what is the best way to keep your kids safe OUTSIDE those hours?
Expert Dr Elly Hanson talks Alison Maloney through the ultimate mobile survival guide for modern parents . . .
WHAT PARENTAL CONTROLS CAN I PUT ON MY CHILD’S PHONE?
ONCE children are given a smartphone the world is their oyster.
It’s worth talking about boundaries from day one.
You can put in parental controls with your service provider, or by using phone settings, to limit access to some platforms.
The NSPCC’s toolkit for parents takes you through the controls you can put on, as well as the conversations you can have with your children.
SHOULD I INSTALL SOFTWARE TO MONITOR THEM WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE?
WHILE it may be tempting to spy on your child, trust is the most important factor when it comes to having conversations about the things they are seeing and doing online.
I’m not an advocate of parental control apps, which allow you to see what your child is up to, because I think that should be driven by open conversations with you as a parent and built on the trust between you.
HOW CAN I MAKE SURE MY CHILD IS VIEWING AGE-APPROPRIATE CONTENT?
OFCOM research found that 32 per cent of children aged eight to 17 have signed up with a false date of birth, while a 2023 study found that 22 per cent of children aged 14 to 18 had viewed porn on multiple occasions.
It’s often just a tick box to confirm you are over 18.
The only way to stop kids accessing adult sites is being open and having a relationship based on trust.
HOW CAN I TALK TO MY CHILD ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE ACCESSING?
PARENTS need to be open with children and start talking to them from a position of curiosity, rather than judgement.
For example, a parent who doesn’t understand how TikTok works can harness that lack of knowledge by saying to their child: “Show me your feed. Show me how it works and what you find funny. Let’s explore it.”
That sets a solid foundation for then talking about the harmful stuff.
HOW SHOULD I TACKLE ONLINE BULLYING AND SEXTING?
MAKING sure your children know that you are someone they can turn to is very important.
Give them online safety advice, emphasising that if anything bad happens, they can talk to you and you won’t be angry.
Even if they have sent a sexual image or are being blackmailed into doing so.
Let them know the main thing is their safety and that they will not be in trouble.
SHOULD I TAKE MY CHILDREN’S PHONES AWAY AT BEDTIME?
BEHIND the bedroom door, kids can use their phones however they choose.
This is often when the worst harm happens.
Night-time is a risk period, especially for bullying.
There seem to be different rules – it becomes more of a “wild west” and people’s inhibitions disappear.
A child shouldn’t have their phone at night.
Remove it an hour before bedtime so the emotional stimulation and light don’t keep them awake.