Online Safety Toolkit

Balancing screen use is one of the most common concerns for parents. Here’s how you can set healthy boundaries: 

• Know the impact: Parentkind’s National Parent Survey shows children now spend on average 3 hours and 20 minutes a day on tablets, smartphones and game consoles outside of school, with screen time affecting sleep, mood and family interactions. 

• Create a family media plan: Set clear rules about when, where and how devices are used, like no devices during mealtimes or bedtime, and regular screen breaks. You can download Parentkind’s family screen time agreement and fill in the blanks to suit your lifestyle. 

• Encourage quality over quantity: Choose educational or creative activities online instead of passive scrolling or gaming. 

• Recognise signs of overuse: Watch for fatigue, mood changes or reduced engagement in offline activities, and adjust habits if you need to. According to the National Parent Survey, more than a third of parents say their child is missing out on sleep because of the time they spend on screens. The same research shows that a quarter of parents say screen time worsens their child’s behaviour. 

• Monitor usage: Use tools like parental controls to set daily limits and track time spent on devices. 

• Discuss balance: Talk to your child about the benefits of balancing screen time with offline activities, like sports or reading. Download Parentkind’s Am I being safe online decision tree to help younger children understand online safety. 

• Model healthy habits: Show your child the importance of breaks and screen-free moments by practising them yourself. 

Cyberbullying can have a profound impact on your child. This is when people use digital tools like social media, messaging apps, or online games to hurt, threaten, or embarrass others. It can include spreading lies, sharing private photos or videos without permission, sending mean messages, or pretending to be someone else online. Signs of cyberbullying may include avoiding social activities, seeming upset after using devices, not wanting to talk about online experiences, and changes in mood or behaviour. Noticing these signs can help stop cyberbullying early. 

Statistics show:

• 27% of children between the ages of 8 to 15 who use social media have experienced cyberbullying. 

• In a UK survey, 74% of parents identified classmates as the main cyberbullies of children they knew. 

• 71% of children between 5 to 15 have seen hateful content online. 

• 29% of teenagers do nothing when they experience cyberbullying. 

• One study found that nine in ten people experienced bullying while playing video games online. 

• 66% of children between 10 to 15 say they did not report cyberbullying because they did not think it was important. 

Knowing how to address cyberbullying is crucial. 

• Spot the signs: Changes in mood, withdrawal or reluctance to use devices may suggest an issue. 

• Respond effectively: Encourage your child to save evidence (screenshots) and report incidents to platforms or schools. 

• Promote resilience: Help your child understand that cyberbullying reflects on the bully, not them, and guide them toward supportive communities. 

• Kindness is key: Emphasise the importance of respectful online interactions. 

• Stay informed: Download our Digital life conversation prompts to engage in ongoing discussions with your child about their digital experiences. These prompts are designed to blend seamlessly into everyday conversations, keeping the dialogue open without making your child feel pressured. 

Social media is a big part of many children’s lives and should be navigated with care. Social media is designed to be addictive, using algorithms and features that keep users constantly engaged. From endless scrolling to instant notifications, these platforms are engineered to capture attention and encourage habitual use. Just like other forms of addiction, excessive social media consumption can interfere with daily life, relationships, and mental well-being, making it crucial to set boundaries and develop healthy digital habits. 

• Understand the platforms: Learn about the apps your child uses, its privacy settings and the potential risks (TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat). 

• Set boundaries: Limit screen time, especially at night, and encourage participation in offline activities. 

• Safe sharing: Remind your child not to share their location or personal details in posts or profiles. 

• Encourage mindful use: Discuss how comparing themselves to images online can be bad for their mental health. 

Did you know?

Key findings in a 2024 Parentkind poll on smartphone use amongst older teenagers (aged 16 to 18) show that social media leaves one in five feeling ​‘that life is not worth living’, with one in five (18%) also being sent suicide or self-harm content at least ​‘once or twice a month’. Almost three quarters (74%) of older teenagers feel that social media is harmful to children and young people, with 23% disagreeing. 

Understanding the latest trends and research is key to staying informed about the digital world. You can access Parentkind’s research on screen time by reading the National Parent Survey. We’re working with experts, educators, and policymakers to create safer online spaces and provide tools for families. 

You can get involved by sharing your experiences and concerns to help shape future solutions. 

If you need further guidance or support, these organisations help you navigate challenging conversations about online safety.

Additional Resources

• Read more on digital wellbeing on the NSPCC website. 

• Learn how to become a positive digital role model on the Parentzone website. 

• Find out more information about screen time on the Parentzone website 

• You can read more about staying safe online on the childline website. 

• Discover more on cyberbullying on the Kidscape website. 

• For more on what to do if your child sees something inappropriate online visit the CEOP website. 

• Learn more about the different social media sites on the UK Safer Internet Centre website; you can also access this guide to social media for parents on the Internet Matters website. 

• Discover how to talk to your child about keeping safe online on the Barnardo’s website. 

• You can read more about parent views and experiences in Parentkind’s National Parent Survey.