Becoming more independent
At this stage, your child may become curious about the different things they can do online and want to explore more. For some families, this stage happens between the ages of 5 to 11 years old.
Learn about the actions you can take to support your child as they start using digital devices on their own.
On this page
- Talk to your child about being safe online
- Set up parental controls
- Find out where to get support
- Know where to report something
Did you know?
Recent Ofcom research shows that 54% of children aged 8 or older know someone that has experienced something upsetting online.
1. Talk to your child about being safe online
It’s normal for your child to be curious and want more freedom to use a device. Your child may also try to look at things online they know they shouldn’t or see harmful content by accident while they explore.
For these reasons it’s important to start having conversations about being safe online.
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.
2. Set up parental controls
It’s important to think about when you want your child to be able to use a device and how they will use it, before you give them access to use it on their own.
You can agree a ‘digital plan’ for screentime with your child, for example, not using a device at mealtimes or when it’s time for bed.
Parental controls can stop your child from seeing content that could put them at risk of harm and limit the time they spend online.
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 and are appropriate.
Did you know?
The Royal College of Psychiatrists recommends no screens in the bedroom of teenagers at night.
Getting enough good quality sleep is important for their health.
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.
This is a new service. Help us improve it and give your feedback (opens in new tab).