NSPCC want to know about the apps your kids use - share to win a £300 voucher.NOW CLOSED

[AmeliaMumsnet]

NSPCC says: “Most parents are brilliant at keeping their child safe in the physical world, through daily chats and reminders. It should be exactly the same in the online world too, so our #ShareAware campaign aims to get parents chatting to kids about their online lives, just like they would their day at school.These chats are made much easier if Mums and Dads understand their child’s online world – what games they like and the apps they use - and we’d recommend that parents explore the games and sites their child likes, alongside them.

“So to help you, NSPCC and O2 have created Net Aware. This site (and app) provides an overview of nearly 40 of the most popular apps and games used by young people. Our site and app will give the official age and the age which parents and young people think it’s appropriate for. It also provides tips from O2 Gurus on a range of topics, including privacy settings to adjust and the chance of risky content. For more information, you can visit Net Aware or download the Net Aware app on iOS or Android.”

Did you know that 1 in 4 8-11 year olds have a social networking account, despite the minimum age for most being 13? It can be difficult to understand your DC’s activity on games and apps, especially if you don’t know how to use them yourself. That’s why NSPCC want to know about the apps and games your DC use, and how you make sure they’re staying safe. Post on this thread with your hints and tips for talking about DC’s use of apps and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 voucher of your choice (from a list).
Whether you think Minecraft is a minefield, or you’re a pro Snapchatter, NSPCC want to know how involved you are with your DC’s apps and games. Post on the thread with your views about apps, whether or not you use them yourself, and share your tips for making sure your DC is using them safely.

One lucky MNer who posts on this thread will be randomly selected to win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks so much for taking part, and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

DD2 is only 9 but uses Snapchat. I felt under pressure to let her use it as all her friends have phones (she has an Ipod) and were contacting each other all the time so she complained she was missing out. I have enlisted my older nieces and nephews (teenagers/in their twenties) to become her friend on it so they keep me informed of what she is putting on it.
We have talked about how to stay safe online- following on from a good session done by her school- and she now has rules such as not accepting anyone as a friend unless I have vetted them. We limit her time online and she generally accesses the internet downstairs where I can see what she is doing. YouTube is so popular with her age group but I only let her have the kids YouTube app. It does worry me that kids can be exposed to all kinds of hidden danger online so I will be definitely checking out this new app- thank you.

DC 5, loves Netflix for kids. She does not do social media, she's got the Disney app too. That's about it. I will check out the NSPCC site as it seems very informative about keeping safe online.

I work in a children's residential home and the internet use is a massive safeguarding concern. We supervise the under 13s and only the adults know the wifi password so we put it on their tablets etc as and when needed. We also hold 'children meetings' every half term and play games and activities related to internet safety.

The lego batman game is a favourite with my nephew. Sometimes there are difficult parts in it and I wish there was a cheat sheet for adults, I never know how to help him when he gets stuck!

Parents should not under any circumstances allow under 13 year old's to have Social Media Accounts. Parents are responsible for what can go wrong when children are allowed to use Social Media and are at risk of being targeted by the evil people online who prey on young children.

My son only uses Minecraft and YouTube but rather than having an account in his own name I let him use my account so that I can always see exactly what he has been watching. He has no interest in anything other than watching videos though so never comments or read comments

Luckily my DC has no interest in social media at the moment. After going to an online safety meeting with the school the main advice is to keep dialogue with your child open so that they will discuss with you what they are doing online and will tell you if they see something they are not happy with and to discuss what is appropriate and safe and what is not. There is not point banning them from social media or internet because they will just do it in secret and be left with no support should they need it and they will feel isolated from their peers

My daughter is too young at present so the most she does is watch peppa on the tablet if we travel. I'm glad social media isn't an issue yet - my 9 year old niece is on Facebook and it worries me, she has hundreds of friends, and the pouting photos on there she doesn't look 9

My daughter loves the Cbeebies app as well as Pokemon Go!!

I don't really want them using their phones too much - but I do install FindmyIphone - in case their (admittedly old) iPhones get stolen, and Googlemaps in case they ever get lost, they can phone and tell me where they are.

I don't really like them but they're part of their world so all you can do is talk to them about privacy & security and lock down the settings as much as possible! Taking an interest in what they're doing is important and I never let them use images of themselves either.

My DDs 2 and 6 use YouTube kids and CBeebies app. I don't like much of the content on YouTube kids as I feel it's unregulated and the content is bizarre. I wish I knew how to pick and choose items I felt were appropriate so I can "control" their viewing more. I am going to an internet safety course next week so I can hopefully learn how to. At the moment I hover over them and switch items over to something I understand. It's not ideal.

Justine is 2 and a half. He loves singing. He spends less time in you tube watching masha and the bear cartoon, dave and ava cartoon and some educative songs for kids. The rest of his time he watches Disney junior and Jim jam. Currently understanding the Kenyan languages. He interacts with different kids who speak differently.

Ds3 (almost 11) uses the minecraft and YouTube app on his iPad. He also has Amazon prime video. He does lots of other activities so we don't really restrict his screen time as his spare time is quite limited. He has what's App on his mobile phone and is in a school group and has created a family group. I keep an eye on what he's accessing but he is quite a mature and trustworthy boy so has pretty much has free rein.

DD1 (6) sometimes uses my iPhone while I'm brushing her hair (it helps to reduce the screaming as I battle the tangles). She likes eggy numbers and eggy time.

DD2 (nearly 4) likes to type emojis.

At my parents house they get to use the iPad and like to use drawing apps and do puzzles.

It amazes me how easily they navigate the new technology. I really need to get clued up before they get old enough to use computers and phones on their own.

I have a 4 year old. She has her own tablet with apps and games. Her favourite is BBC Kids and she loves CBeebies, stories and games and can access some CBBC programmes. I don't allow her to use You Tube, even the kids version because there is a lot of inappropriate content and some utter rubbish on there. She also has a few educational games for letters and numbers etc. She is starting to read now and I'm concerned that she may type random words into Google that could bring up inappropriate content. Her tablet is linked to my Google account and I don't know how to set restrictions without it affecting my account too. Will need to look into this.

Kindle Fire but I'm the only one with the password.
Amazon firestick on the TV but again, the magic password is all mine....
BT internet - top level of security on it.

My daughter is nearly three. She uses apps on my iPad but is always supervised. She mainly uses YouTube, Disney apps, and some drawing apps. Mainly they are harmless but you tube needs a bit of vetting.

My teenage daughter has a tablet on which she uses snapchat. She is very knowledgeable and careful about how to stay safe online. Her school has really drummed into the pupils how to protect their privacy and use apps safely.

My kids use Youtube Kids a lot. Too much. But it is safer than regular YT.

We also have a Kindle Fire which has lots of parental controls - almost too many. You can't get YT Kids on it at all for example and have to add YT videos manually.

Apps wise, I have always found the Toca Boca ones very good. Minecraft is always on. Eldest is 6 and too young for social networks. Am dreading it tbh.

My ten year old uses Minecraft, Whatsapp, and youtube.

DD (5) has supervised access to my kindle fire. She likes the cbeebies games apps, a peppa game and the teach my monster to read app.

Minecraft obsession here. My de is 10 and has hf asd. He loves minecraft and makes some incredible worlds. He also watches you tube of other people playing minecraft, his favourites are stampy, dan Tim and ballistic squid.
We have sky go so he can catch up on lab rats and gravity falls

My children are always on Snapchat and YouTube. I have got all the parental controls on to restrict the content. But I honestly think it's so important to drill this into your Children's head, about the dangers of sharing personal information online. I saw a report on the news about a 14 year old boy made friends with another young boy, I think he was 9. They were friends with the games consoles online player platform. They arranged to meet up, and exchanged personal information. The 14 year old stabbed the 9-11 year old. This story made me really wake up and, I remember recording the news story and I made my children watch it. I said to them, the next time I am "ON THEIR CASE" , as they put it, about playing online with strangers, this report is an example of why. I have no problem with them playing online with friends and family who we know, but under no circumstances would I let them play with strangers. I have given them a lecture about sharing personal details online and making friends with strangers on social media. My brother is 19 years old and he recently starred in a movie about these kind of issues with society. The film is called #MISUSEDTRUST Misused Trust supported by the Sikh channel, to raise awareness about the misuse of public media and online networks. The worst part is the fact that the film is about a true story and the brave girl who has been given the opportunity to share her story to raise awareness about online sharing and social media networks and platforms for misuse. In my personal opinion, the film should have been aired on the BBC, because the message is not just about Sikhs. It's a message for everyone and example of the consequences when your trust is misused. I highly recommend watching this film. You can find details about it on the internet. @misusedtrust or the Sikh channel website. It's a scary world we live in and awareness is key to protecting our community, children and society.

Please find pictures for the awareness campaign and sharing is not only caring but also participating in spreading this important message 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻🌎🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻