Using their first device
This is the stage when your child first experiences using a digital device. For some families, this stage happens between the ages of 2 to 5 years old.
Learn about the actions you can take to support your child as they access digital devices for the first time.
On this page
- Talk to child about being safe online
- Set up parental controls
- Find out where to get support
- Know where to report something
1. Talk to your child about being safe online
Talking to your child about online safety and how they can use digital devices can help you both understand the rules that are there to protect them and why they matter.
Having conversations with your child can help build trust and make them feel safe to come to you if they are worried or if something happens that makes them feel unsafe.
Did you know?
The Government recommends no screen time for children under 2 years old, and no more than 1 hour a day for those aged 2 to 5 years.
2. Set up parental controls
Parental controls can stop your child from seeing content that could put them at risk of harm.
This might look like:
- putting restrictive controls on the device your child has access to
- only allowing your child to use a device with an adult
As your child gets older or has new devices, it’s important to check that the parental controls you use still work.
You may also want to talk to your child about why you use them, for example, to not disturb mealtimes.
Before you introduce your child to a digital device, it’s important to consider what you want them to get from the experience; this could be to learn, play, or a combination of both.
Accessing digital devices and age-appropriate content can be a helpful tool in your child’s development, but it’s important to think about how it fits into their life alongside other activities such as outdoor play and spending time with family.
Did you know?
Many social media platforms have a minimum age of 13 to use them. However, Ofcom research shows that over a third of 3 to 5 year olds use social media.
3. Find out where to get support
You might need help or extra information to guide your child when they use digital devices or go online.
Some of the different ways you can get support include:
- using a helpline to get expert advice
- knowing what your child is being taught about online safety in school
- attending a talk or online course
4. Know where to report something
Sometimes things happen online that upset your child or put them in danger.
It’s important to remember that it’s not your fault if things go wrong. But it’s important to act.
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