Cyber and Fraud Hub launches new guide to help keep children safe online
With increasing concerns around child safety both online and in everyday life, parents, carers, and guardians in Scotland now have access to our new essential resource. ‘Keeping Children Safe: A Guide for Parents, Carers, and Guardians’ has been launched by the Hub to provide comprehensive advice on how to protect children from potential dangers, ranging from online risks to everyday safety concerns.
As cyber threats and online exploitation continue to evolve, equipping parents with the right knowledge is more important than ever. Research shows that children face increasing risks, including social media threats, online grooming, and cyberbullying.
The current Netflix drama ‘Adolescence’ has highlighted the complex challenges that all parents face and the dangers that lurk online for children and young people. This guide provides parents, guardians and carers with information to start a conversation to ensure that children and young people know they can seek support from their family, when they need it.
Recent statistics* show that:
91 per cent of 12 to 15-year-olds now own a smartphone.
The average time children report spending on their phones is four to six hours.
1 in 4 young adults show signs of behavioural addiction to smartphones.
Our guide has been designed to give parents and carers a clearer understanding of social media, gaming platforms and communication methods that children use every day, often without adult oversight. From popular apps and games, to messaging platforms, the guide offers practice advice, explanations of commonly used terminology and step-by-step tips on setting up parental controls.
Most importantly it encourages open and informed conversations between adults and young people, about the digital spaces they are in.
Key topics covered in the ‘Keeping Children Safe Online’ guide include:
Different social media platforms including Snapchat and TikTok and safety features.
How video games such as Twitch, Minecraft and Roblox work and the way to change video settings.
Router parental control advice.
Privacy add-ons and settings in browsers and mobile phones.
Download the free guide here: Keeping Children Safe Online: A Guide for Parents, Carers, and Guardians
If you are concerned that your child has been a victim of fraud or a cyber crime, you can call our free Incident Response helpline on 0808 281 3580 or contact us at info@cyberfraudhub.org.
*Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8plvqv60lo
https://www.specsavers.co.uk/eye-health/screen-time-for-kids