At Meadlands, we know that the internet is a big part of our children’s lives — from learning and discovering new interests to playing. Used wisely and safely, it can open up a world of creativity, fun and opportunity. But as children spend more time online, it’s never been more important for us, as parents and educators, to help them do so safely and confidently.

Recent Ofcom research shows that more young children are using the internet than ever before with increasing numbers of 3–5-year olds now accessing social media and livestreaming platforms. It also highlights that  8 in 10 children aged 3–17 have their own online profile. 

We understand how tricky it can be to keep up with the fast-changing world of apps, games and social media. That’s why we’ve gathered a range of award-winning online safety guides (found at the bottom of this page)  from the National College providing  useful advice  to help families stay informed and support children’s wellbeing as they explore the digital world.

 

On this page, you’ll find:
 Online Safety Top Tips – simple ways to help your child stay safe online
 Gaming – what to know about popular games and age ratings
 Social Media – understanding the apps your child might use
 Artificial Intelligence – what it is and how it affects young users
 Parental Controls – setting up devices safely
 Mental Wellbeing – supporting your child if screen time becomes stressful

 

Together, we can help our children enjoy all the wonderful things the internet has to offer — safely, responsibly and with confidence.

Part 1: Online Safety Top Tips 

Part 2: Social Media

Part 3: Gaming

Part 4: Parental Controls 

Part 5: Artificial Intelligence

Part 6: Mental Wellbeing

 

Part 1: Online Safety Top Tips

At Meadlands Primary School, we strongly encourage sensible use of digital and online technologies. To educate our children, online safety is weaved throughout the computing curriculum. To support your child in being safe online, follow these Online Safety Top Tips: 

1. Keep the computer in a family area and not in a child's bedroom.

2. Use 'child lock', or filter setting on your Web browser to help prevent unsuitable site access by your child (for more information please see Part 5: Parental Controls).

3. Regularly supervise the sites that your child is visiting.

4. Encourage your child to use their 'Favourites' lists to access the sites that you have approved to prevent accidental entry to accidental sites. 

5. Discourage your child from using social Networking sites to keep them safe from cyber bullying.

6. Teach your child to switch off or close the laptop lid, then fetch and tell you if they have seen something unsuitable appears on the screen. This is what we do in school.

7. Agree with older children what sites they are allowed to access.

8. Keep all personal details private and be aware of stranger danger.

9. Above all, encourage your child to talk to you about the web sites and electronic devices that they are using at school and home. 

 

 

Part 2: Social Media

What makes social media actually ‘social’ are the connections users make with other users on the platforms. Every social networking site handles these connections differently, calling them ‘connections’, ‘friends’ and ‘followers’, amongst others. OFCOM’s latest report highlighted that there has been an increase in the number of 3 to 5 year olds who are now accessing social media sites.

We have included information on the social media sites that we know are popular and visited frequently amongst our pupils.

YouTube: YouTube is an online platform – owned by Google – where anyone can upload and  watch video content.  As a parent, it’s important you understand exactly what content your children might be seeing as YouTube across all ages is still the most popular social media platform.

Please note that if children are watching "Shorts", these are likely to be TikTok videos!

 

WhatsApp: In the guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as bullying, connecting with strangers and scamming. This also warns against the potential risks associated with the new meta AI function, which cannot be turned off. To mitigate this new risk, parents are advised to block WhatsApp on children’s phones  - if they need a messenger, only allow apps without AI chatbots built in. Our recommendation is https://signal.org which offers just messages, calls and nothing else.

Facebook:  Facebook is an online social media platform where users can add photos and videos, update their status, interact with others and catch up with the latest news. Despite requiring users to be over 13, there are no age verification measures and children can easily create an account. It’s therefore important that parents familiarise themselves with the main features of the platform to ensure their young ones remain safe if and when they use it by reading the guide below.

Snapchat: Snapchat is a photo-messaging app that allows users to take photos, record videos, add drawings and send them to their friends. A message on Snapchat only appears for a few seconds, but once you click away or the time limit expires, it disappears from the chat – although it may still be saved by the recipient. Snapchat has a number of different features. These include ‘Stories’, which disappear after 24 hours; ‘Memories’, which act as a kind of personal archive; ‘Snap Map’, which shares your location with friends; ‘streaks’, which are built by exchanging Snaps for consecutive days; and a wide range of filters and lenses. Snapchat has an age rating of 13+.

Instagram: Instagram remains one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. Instagram allows users to share photos and videos, create ‘interactive stories’, broadcast live, send private messages and follow others. With regular updates and new features, it’s essential for parents to stay informed about how their child is using the app and what the risks are. It has an age rating of 13+

Tik Tok: TikTok is a video-sharing social media app and is not suitable for children under the age of 13. It lets users create, share, and view user created videos. Users can record and upload bite-sized looping videos of themselves  lip-syncing and dancing to popular music or soundbites, often for comedic effect, which can then be further enhanced with filters, emojis and stickers.  TikTok has been designed with the young user in mind and has a very addictive appeal.

Omegle: Omegle is a website that pairs random strangers for live text or video chats. It was first launched in 2009 and its slogan is “Talk to strangers!” There is an option for adult (18+) content and a section for people aged 13+ with parental permission. Therefore, it is not suitable to children under the age of 13.  Anyone can use the site. Users simply go to Omegle.com and then choose ‘Text’ or ‘Video’ chat and the page states how many users are currently online. Depending on the time of day this can be hundreds of thousands. Omegle markets itself as a great way to meet new friends however has been known to feature  inappropriate content within chats.  

X: Formally known as Twitter.  Since being taken over in 2022 there have been many safety concerns around X. With its age rating of 13+, there are concerns over easily coming across age-inappropriate content to the planned blocking feature being removed.

Amino: Amino is a social media platform, where subcommunities can be found under one digital ‘roof’. Fans gather to celebrate a shared interest such as comic books. Whilst most spaces are harmless for fans, there are still aspects that parents and carers should be aware of.

Friends and Followers on Social Media: In the guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as online bullying, catfishing and access to private information.

 

 

Part 3: Gaming

Fortnite: Fortnite is an online multi-player “battle royale” game and has since becoming the biggest game in the world.  Due to its frequent scenes of mild violence, Fortnite has been listed as not suitable for persons under 12 years of age. However, we are increasingly aware that a number of our children spend huge amounts of time engaging in this game

Minecraft:  Minecraft is still as popular today as it was when it was first released. The highly addictive block building game has developed a huge following and is appropriate for primary school children to play. Minecraft is relatively safe generally speaking, however, as per any game, it pays for parents to be mindful about the main features that children may encounter.  

The guide below is to help parents and carers understand exactly what Minecraft is all about. 

Roblox:  Roblox is a multi-player online gaming platform which allows children to play and create a variety of games in a 3D world. It has been listed as not being suitable for children under the age of 13, however, we are aware that a  number of our pupils engage in this gaming platform.

 

 

 

Part 4: Parental Controls

Parental controls help parents or carers to block or filter upsetting or inappropriate content, and control purchases within apps. Parents  or carers can install parental control software on their child's and family's phones or tablets, games consoles, laptops and home internet.

Parental controls can help you to:

·        plan what time of day your child can go online and how long for

·        create content filters to block apps that may have inappropriate content

·        manage the content different family members can see.

 

 

Part 5: Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving technology that is increasingly becoming part of our daily lives. As such this section will continually be updated to reflect new parental guides that are being released. 

AI Virtual Friends: AI friends is a feature that is becoming increasingly more popular as children experiment with these new-found computer-generated companions. There are now numerous apps available with a virtual friend feature and as such parents need to aware of the associated risks and advice on what they can do if they child has a virtual companion.

Artificial Intelligence Solutions

AI solutions are becoming increasingly popular. AI solutions can generate text, images, audio, video, code  or data and can be used for things such as crafting poems or books, creating digital imagery or delivering video context. There has recently been a lot of discussion around the benefits and risks of AI solutions.

What parents need to know about generative AI safety

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, are now commonly used by children. In  a recent survey, 3 in 4 pupils have reported using generative AI. While these tools can boost learning, they also raise concerns around misinformation, privacy and overuse.

 

 

Part 6: Mental Wellbeing

Digital devices have a dual impact on mental wellbeing, offering significant benefits like enhanced social connection and access to support, while also posing substantial risks, including increased anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances, particularly when use becomes excessive or problematic. The guides below provide parents with advice and guidance on supporting their child with mental wellbeing linked to their online lives.