Helping to keep children safe online this summer

As schools break up for the summer holidays, we understand the pressure parents and caregivers may feel around the time children spend online and more importantly will want to manage their child’s online safety.

We know that trying to protect our children from potential dangers online can be tough. There are an ever-growing number of apps, games and social media platforms that our children want to use. It can be difficult to keep up to date with all the settings and safety features available.

But don't worry. We’ve got you covered. Our Sort Your Settings webpage has the information you need to navigate your way through this minefield.

The page includes advice on how to check the settings on your child’s games console, smart device, or game, to ensure they stay safe online. Including how to check, change, or update parental controls, plus information on game ratings, social media and much more.

Sort Your Settings is about providing parents and caregivers the knowledge they need to help keep their child safe online. This summer, we have teamed up with Essex County Council to spread this knowledge further by distributing Sort Your Settings information leaflets to schools across Essex.

The project launched last year working with retailers over the Christmas period to help inform people buying devices as gifts about how to help make them more secure.

PC Daemon Haywood who works within our Strategic Vulnerability Centre, which specialises in protecting vulnerable people, said:

“As schools break up for the summer, we know that our children are likely to be spending more time online. This could be playing games or chatting to their friends.
“Sadly, sometimes others who seek to take advantage of them will use online apps, games and social media platforms. These platforms can allow them to anonymously contact young people and exploit them.
“So, we need to make sure that our children know how to stay safe when online and that we create a safe online environment for them to use. We hope that Sort Your Settings provides parents and caregivers the tools to do this."

There is also a wide range of information available and most social media platforms have dedicated areas on their websites.  

The Essex Safeguarding Children’s Board (ESCB) website contains lots of advice on a variety of child safety issues, including advice on how to speak to your children and making it part of everyday life conversations.