Mumsnet user tips on how to start a conversation about Internet safety with your kids

For a child, having the internet at their fingertips offers infinite possibilities for discovery. Our children are the first generation to grow up with the internet all around them. 

From a young age, surfing the net becomes second nature, along with all the scrolling and swiping that entails. But like most brilliant inventions, the online world has potential risks. As a parent, it’s wise to be clued up on online safety for kids. 

After all, keeping your kids safe online is a priority for every parent, but starting the conversation can be tricky. In fact, research conducted by Tesco Mobile reveals that while nearly three-quarters of parents say online safety is very important, 24% admit they find it difficult to broach the topic with their kids. 

Which is why Tesco Mobile, in partnership with child psychologist Dr. Martha Deiros Collado and online safety experts Internet Matters, have created a series of conversation starters designed to make it easier for families to talk about online safety. And what better place to begin than around the dinner table?

Why online safety matters for kids 

The web these days is a boundless space for learning, creativity, and connection. But as with anything, it comes with risks. With Tesco Mobile’s conversation prompts, you’ll find an easy way to address these concerns naturally. 

Available both in The Café at your local Tesco and online at tescomobile,com/onlinesafety, these prompts encourage constructive and open discussions about building healthy habits.

Sally Marriott, Tesco Mobile CTO, explains: “As parents, we’re constantly navigating new challenges, and keeping children safe online is one of the most pressing. We created these conversation starters with the aim of making these tough topics approachable for families.

“By bringing these discussions to the dinner table, we hope to help families with the difficulties they face when trying to broach challenging topics like this. Parents can easily access our conversation starters by searching ‘Tesco Mobile Online Safety’ or scanning a QR code on the ‘table talker’ in The Café near them.

“All of the services we offer to families around internet safety from our Little Digital Helps Toolkit, training our in-store colleagues and now the conversation starters are about being helpful and empowering families to have positive experiences online.” 

The risks to be aware of for your children

So, what are the online risks to be aware of when it comes to our children? According to Internet Matters research, there are a few, including:

• Screen time

• In-game spending

• Contact from strangers

• Dangerous content

• Mis/dis information

• Content promoting unrealistic body images

• Hate speech

• Violent content

• Online bullying

After reading all that, you’d be forgiven for disconnecting your Wi-Fi and chucking all your family’s devices in the nearest wheelie bin. But as with most parenting issues, a balanced approach is best. 

Refusing all access to the internet just isn’t practical for children whose schoolwork may be linked to online portals and educational sites. Moreover, many of these threats exist in the offline world too. There are also benefits to children using devices beyond schoolwork, such as connecting with friends and family or developing new skills.

While installing internet filters and parental controls is an essential first step to safeguarding children online, these tools work best as part of a broader strategy. 

Regular conversations about internet safety are just as important. By talking openly and freely, parents can help their children understand the risks of the internet while also encouraging them to come forward if they ever feel uncomfortable or worried about something they encounter online. 

This is where Tesco Mobile’s prompts can help, empowering parents to start these crucial conversations with confidence.

Staying age appropriate 

The risks associated with the internet vary according to the age of your child. You should also always take the age of your child into account when starting the conversation about internet safety for kids. What makes perfect sense to a 14-year-old may go completely over a seven-year-old’s head or even frighten them.

With all this in mind, here’s our age-by-age advice on keeping your child safe on the internet - and talking to them - with handy tips from Mumsnetters.

Internet safety for 6 to 10 year olds

Children are likely to be getting to grips with reading and writing around this age. Yet, they may already be well versed in accessing the internet and using voice assistants to find what they’re looking for. While that’s certainly an impressive skill, it leaves open the risk that they inadvertently come across harmful, disturbing and age inappropriate content.

When it comes to making sure your child only sees content that’s appropriate for their age , UptownFunk00 advises: “Try to remember to turn Safe Search on in Google so any images will be tame.”

When they’re young, you might choose to allow only supervised access to the internet via a family computer, or sit beside them as they surf. While there may also be a limit to how many renditions of Baby Shark you can stomach, spending time online with your child helps strengthen feelings of trust and keeps you up to date with what they’re interested in.

Rather than acting as the internet gatekeeper, try to make supervised internet time as fun as possible. Cheer them on when they’re playing their favourite game or ask them to show you the ropes.

When it comes to introducing conversations around internet safety, parents on our Talk board advise starting early, regularly chatting about the internet, and gradually building on these discussions as your child matures.

Mumsnetter MsMarvellous says: “We have already spoken to her about trust, and how we will expect access to anything she is on as she gets older, until she is approaching adulthood. We talked in a light way about why and have set up a 'kid safe' log in on the computer. We also have the laptop in a family space.” 

Internet safety for preteens

Aah, that tricky stage sandwiched between early childhood and the teenage years. It’s a real time of change as your child becomes more aware of their place in the world. 

Your child may start losing interest in watching cartoons online and may care more about fitting in with peers and older siblings. They may start nagging you to let them have a social media account, even if they’re under the minimum age allowed, insisting that ‘everyone else in the class is already doing it. They may want to game online with friends.

Meanwhile, new social media apps are emerging quicker than you can keep a handle on things… and your child won’t want to be left behind. 

Now’s the time to wise up and find out exactly what all those apps actually entail. While you don’t have to sign up for every platform yourself, take the time to navigate the landscape so you understand where your preteen is heading. 

Keep the conversation open with your child about what they’re doing on these apps, and try to stay involved in their activities. Showing interest in the things they enjoy can help build trust and make it easier for them to share their online experiences with you.

As MsMarvellous advises: “I would say the best tip is to use stuff yourself so you know how it works. Download and tinker with the apps that are current as she grows. If you have knowledge you can provide the best support and sensible limits.”

When it comes to tackling issues - such as your preteen intentionally seeking inappropriate content - Mumsnetters, such as PrettyBrightFireflies, say that you need to establish firm boundaries and ground rules: “Put the highest level of parental control on electronics, make sure they’re not used in bedrooms, and that he knows he’s not afforded privacy when he uses them (I've not looked at my DDs internet history for years but she knows that i can, and that if she refuses, the device will be confiscated).”

Internet safety for teenagers

As with all age groups, setting boundaries is important for teenagers, even if this age group is likely to know far more about the latest apps and online crazes than you ever will.

Many teens will have multiple social media accounts. While your teenager may cringe at the notion of you policing their internet usage, it’s actually more important than ever before to keep a check on their online activity. 

As this age group tends to have more real life freedom, going out and about on their own or with friends, it’s vital you know they’re not planning on secretly meeting up with someone they’ve met online. Reinforce the fact that while social media can be a great way to connect with others, not everyone is who they say there are on the internet.

YeOldeTrout says: “IMHO, it's better to teach them to block, ignore and only 'friend' nice people rather than think that everyone on SM is nasty and to be distrusted. Teach them the tools to use SM wisely rather than think they have no ability to manage SM.”

Also, chat to them about the way they portray themselves on social media - after all, their digital footprint will follow them around all their lives, dodgy haircut pics and all. Some parents insist on being friends with their children on social media, even if only as a ‘silent friend’ in order to monitor things from afar. 

Mumsnetter stillmoving says: “Mine were allowed to use [social media] at that age. I think teaching them how to use it safely and having a good open relationship is better than a ban which serves no purpose at all. Teach them how to use things properly.” 

Do's and don’ts for internet safety for kids

• It’s Cool to Be Kind - The Internet is a powerful amplifier for spreading positivity - and also negativity. Kids can apply the concept of “treat others as you would like to be treated” to their actions online, creating positive impact for others and disempowering bullying.

• Don't Fall for Fake - People and situations online aren’t always as they seem. Discerning between what’s real and what’s fake is vital for online safety - after all, not everything you read online is true.

• Secure Your Secrets - Personal privacy and security are equally important online and offline. Safeguarding valuable information helps kids avoid damaging their devices,  relationships and reputations.

• When in Doubt, Talk It Out - One lesson that applies to all online encounters: when kids come across something questionable, they should feel comfortable telling a trusted adult. Parents can support this by fostering honest and open communication at home.

Further reading for parents

More helpful resources for parents surrounding conversations about internet safety with kids include the following:

• Tesco Mobile

• Internet Matters

• Little Digital Helps Toolkit 

• NSPCC

About Tesco Mobile

Established in 2003, Tesco Mobile is a 50-50 joint venture between Tesco and Virgin Media O2. With over 5.5 million customers, we’re the UK’s biggest MVNO (mobile virtual network operator). We’re driven by our purpose – we care for human connection. Serving local communities in over 500 phone shops across the UK, we keep our customers at the heart of everything we do. At the 2024 Uswitch Telecoms Awards, we won Network of the Year thanks to our ‘wide-reaching coverage’ and our ‘excellence in meeting the diverse needs of mobile users.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she brings parents content designed to make life easier. As a mum-of-two, she’s all too familiar with the practical and mental preparation a parent needs to prepare their children for the online world. So, she’s fully invested in making sure fellow parents get the right information that’s designed to make their lives much easier. 

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a PTA meeting, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog.