11th February 2026 • My Family Our Needs

For Safer Internet Day, we’ve put together some top tips for you and your child to stay safe whilst using the internet. The internet can be a really useful tool – a way to make friends, communicate with people, and provide educational and fun content. It can help break down barriers and create opportunities and connections, particularly for children and young people with SEND.

However, as digital life continues to evolve, staying vigilant online is vital to protect yourself, your children and your devices.

You can share this article with your child, or use it to help start conversations as they begin to use the internet more independently.

Stay involved and talk regularly

One of the most powerful ways to support your child’s online safety is to stay interested in their digital world.

This doesn’t mean monitoring every click or message. It could mean asking about what they enjoy, who they interact with and how online experiences make them feel. Keeping communication open helps children feel comfortable raising concerns if something doesn’t feel right.

Simple check-ins can help:

  • What have you enjoyed online recently?
  • Who do you like chatting or gaming with?
  • Did anything you saw make you feel unsure or uncomfortable?

Anti-virus and device security

It is important to have the right level of online security for your household, depending on who is using the internet and on which devices.

Computer viruses and malware are small programmes that can harm your device, steal personal data, or track activity without you knowing. This can affect computers, tablets, phones, gaming consoles and smart devices.

Make sure:

  • your devices have up-to-date security software
  • operating systems and apps are regularly updated
  • downloads only come from trusted sources

There are free anti-virus and security tools available, but it’s worth researching what best suits your needs.

Some online threats are now designed to steal log-ins, passwords or bank details, often through convincing emails or messages. Always check the security of websites before entering personal information. Secure websites usually show a padlock symbol in address bar and begin with ‘https://’ – the ‘s’ means it’s secure.

The Get Safe Online website has a lot of useful information on staying safe online, including when shopping and banking.

Suspicious messages, pop-ups and fake alerts

While browsing, you or your child may see pop-ups, alerts or messages designed to grab attention. These can sometimes be harmless, but they are also commonly used in scams.

Some examples may include:

  • ‘You’ve won a prize’
  • ‘Your device is infected’
  • ‘Click here urgently’

It’s important to teach children, and to remind ourselves, to avoid clicking unfamiliar pop-ups or warnings, close the window if unsure and ask a trusted adult if something looks worrying. Modern scams often mimic real services, apps or bands, so caution is key.

Emails, texts and phishing scams

Emails and messages remain one of the most common ways scammers attempt to access personal information. Scam messages may look like they’re from banks, delivery companies or school and may ask you to click a link, request passwords or payment details.

It’s important to remember that genuine organisations will not ask for passwords or PINs by email. Avoid clicking login links directly from messages and make sure to visit websites by typing the address yourself.

Children should also be aware that links in messages, games or social media apps may not always be safe.

Passwords and account security

Passwords are one of the simplest but most important ways to protect personal information. Encourage good habits such as:

  • not reusing the same password across multiple accounts
  • avoiding obvious passwords like ‘12345’ and ‘password’
  • using a mix of letters, numbers or symbols

Many websites now show how strong a password is when it’s created. Some families also use password-manager apps to help store details securely, but it’s important to choose reputable services and understand how they protect your data.

If devices are shares, avoid saving passwords automatically and always log out of accounts when finished.

Parental controls and filters

If you’re concerned about your child using the internet without supervision, parental controls can be set up on:

  • home broadband
  • computers and tablets
  • mobile phones
  • gaming consoles
  • streaming services and apps

These controls can help limit access to certain types of content, manage screen time, monitor or restrict in-app purchases and show which websites or apps are being used.

Many platforms now have child-friendly or family settings, including video-sharing and social media apps. These can help reduce exposure to inappropriate content, but they’re not foolproof – regular check-ins and conversations are still important.

Don’t share too much online

Protecting devices is important, but protecting yourself and your child is just as vital.

Online spaces make it easy to communicate, share ideas and connect with others – including through gaming, messaging apps, forums and social media. However, people online aren’t always who they say they are.

It’s important that children and young people understand not to share:

  • home address
  • phone number
  • school details
  • personal email addresses
  • bank or payment information
  • private photos or videos

Remind children that even if someone feels familiar online, they are still a stranger unless they are known in real life.

Online chat, social media and gaming

Internet chat, social networking and online gaming can be positive ways to socialise, particularly for children who find face-to-face interaction difficult.

However, it’s important to talk to children about who they are chatting or gaming with. People online may not always be who they say they are. You can also explain reporting and blocking tools, and remind them that they can come to you if something feels wrong. Remind them to never arrange to meet someone without parental knowledge.

Online bullying, scams and inappropriate contact can happen across many platforms, not just social media.

Cyberbullying and online behaviour

Cyberbullying is bullying that happens through digital devices such as phones, tablets, gaming platforms and social media. It can include unkind comments, rumours, exclusion or repeated messages intended to upset someone.

Online interactions can sometimes feel more intense for children and young people with SEND, particularly if they find social cues, tone or humour harder to interpret. What may seem like ‘banter’ to one person can feel confusing or deeply upsetting to another.

If you child experiences negative behaviour online, it’s important they know they are not alone and that support is available. Reassure them that they can talk to you or another trusted adult if something make them uncomfortable, worried or unsafe.

Encourage children to:

  • avoid responding to hurtful messages or comments
  • save or screenshot evidence if needed
  • block or mute users who are being unkind
  • use reporting tools on apps, games or platforms
  • tell a trusted adult what is happening.

Most platforms now offer ways to report bullying or inappropriate behaviour. In more serious situations, particularly where threats or intimidation are involved, concerns can also be reported to the platform and the police.

Above all, remind your child that being targeted online is never their fault, and seeking help is a positive and responsible step.

Changes in the online world

The internet is constantly evolving. Alongside its benefits, newer challenges have emerged, including:

  • scams designed to look like real messages
  • fake profiles and impersonation
  • AI-generated images, voices or messages that can be misleading

Helping children understand that not everything online is real or trustworthy is an important part of digital literacy. This makes ongoing conversations about online safety more important than ever.

Online image and digital footprint

What we share online can stay there for a long time. Photos, comments and videos can be copied or shared, seen by unintended audiences, and possibly affect future education or work opportunities.

It’s essential to encourage children to make informed choices and think before posting, review their privacy settings and understand that screenshots can be taken.

SMART rules for staying safe online

Childnet International‘s SMART rules are a helpful way to explain online safety. Although aimed at children, everyone can learn something from being SMART online.

  • Safe – Keep personal information private.
  • Meeting – Only meet online contacts with parental knowledge and supervision.
  • Accepting – Be cautious about messages, links, files, or pictures from unknown sources.
  • Reliable – Not everything online is true or accurate. Do you research and cross-check.
  • Tell – Encourage children to check things with a trusted adult if they feel worried or uncomfortable.

There are specialist resources available to support families, including information tailored for children and young people with SEND.

  • Internet Matters: practical guides on setting parental controls, managing screen time, gaming safety and talking to children about online risks.
  • NSPCC: advice on keeping children safe online, including guidance on social media, gaming, live streaming and how to have age-appropriate conversations.
  • Childnet: Child-friendly resources, videos and explanations to help families understand online safety together.
  • CEOP: information on reporting online abuse or concerning behaviour, with clear guidance for parents and young people.
  • UK Safer Internet Centre: advice on reporting harmful content, scame or online bullying, and finding further support.
  • NetSmartz and NetSmartzKids: specialist information about internet safety for young people with SEND, including tailored resources and guidance.
  • Cerebra, Mencap and Ambitious about Autism: jointly produced guidance on internet safety for children with learning disabilities and autistic children. It includes practical advice for parents and carers on reducing risk while supporting independence.