Online Safety at Home 

Technology is an important part of family life, and tables and iPads can be a great way for children to learn, play and explore. 

At Hadfield Infant School, we teach online safety through our Kapow Computing curriculum and age-appropriate NSPCC resources. We want children to enjoy technology while understanding how to stay safe. 

How much screen time? 

The Government's current guidance recommends that children aged 2–5 should have around 1 hour of screen time a day, and less if possible. The guidance also stresses that what children are watching and doing matters, and that screen time should not replace sleep, physical activity, play or time talking and interacting with family. 

Simple ways to help 

Watch together 

Where possible, sit with your child and talk about what they are watching or playing with. 

Use parental controls 

Set age restrictions, content filters and screen-time limits on devices and apps

Keep devices in shared spaces 

Try to avoid children using tablets or phones alone in bedrooms 

Turn off autoplay 

This can stop children being taken from one video to another without choosing what they watch. 

Switch off in-app purchases 

This helps prevent accidental purchases. 

Keep bedrooms and mealtimes screen-free 

The Government recommends avoiding screens for around an hour before bedtime. 

Choose age appropriate content 

Fast-paced, highly stimulating videos and social media -style content are not recommended for young children. Choose content designed for their age instead. 

 

Talk to your child

Young children may not recognise when something online is unsafe or inappropriate. Talk regularly about what they are doing online. You could simply ask:

What are you watching? 

Can you show me your favourite game? 

Has anything ever popped up that worried you? 

What would you do if something made you feel uncomfortable? 

Our key message in school is:

STOP - CLOSE - TELL 

If something online makes your child feel worried, frightened or uncomfortable: 

STOP what you are doing 

CLOSE the app, game or video 

TELL a trusted grown-up 

Reassure your child that they will never be in trouble for telling you something that has happened online. 

The CEOP Jessie & Friends resources are specifically designed for children aged 4–7 and are a great way to explore online safety together at home. 

A few simple safety checks

Before giving your child access to a device, check:

• Is the content appropriate for their age? 
• Are parental controls switched on? 
• Are purchases blocked? 
• Is location sharing turned off? 
• Is chat or messaging disabled where appropriate? 
• Is autoplay turned off? 
• Are you using a child account where one is available? 

Parental controls are helpful, but they cannot replace adult supervision. 

What if something goes wrong? 

If your child sees something upsetting, receives a worrying message or tells you that something online has frightened them: 

Stay calm and listen 

Reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you. Don't blame or punish them for what has happened. If appropriate, take a screenshot and use the platform's block and report functions. If you are concerned about your child's safety, you can speak to school, the NSPCC or CEOP for advice. 

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999.