As Christmas approaches, many families will be considering tablets, games consoles, smart speakers or other internet-connected devices as gifts for their children. Whilst these devices can offer excellent opportunities for learning and fun, they also bring new considerations around online safety and screen time management. This guide brings together expert advice to help you support your child in developing healthy digital habits from the start.
Creating a safe online environment
The internet offers a fantastic source of entertainment and learning for young children, but it works best when parents and carers are actively involved. According to CBeebies, one of the most important steps you can take is to sit with young children when they use the internet. This shared experience not only keeps them safe but also helps you understand what they enjoy and how they interact with digital content.
Getting to know safe spaces online makes a real difference. Websites like CBeebies, along with their YouTube channel and apps, provide age-appropriate content designed specifically for young children. You can save these trusted sites as shortcuts in your favourites folder, making them easy for your family to access. The CBeebies apps are handy as they are free to download and contain no in-app purchases, removing the worry of unexpected charges.
Browser settings and filters offer another layer of protection. The UK Safer Internet Centre provides detailed guides for different types of technology, including phones, tablets, laptops, games consoles, smart speakers and smart TVs. If you have older children in the household who want more independence online, consider keeping computers and tablets in shared family spaces rather than bedrooms. This arrangement naturally encourages safer browsing habits whilst still allowing children some autonomy.
Understanding screen time for young children
When it comes to screen time for children in early years, the quality of content and how it is consumed matters just as much as the quantity. Internet Matters highlights that not all screen time is created equally. Active learning experiences, where children engage with content rather than passively watching, offer more developmental benefits.
The World Health Organisation provides specific guidance for different age groups. For infants under one year old, screen time is not recommended. For one-year-olds, sedentary screen time (where children sit still) is not recommended. For children aged two to four years, the WHO suggests no more than one hour of sedentary screen time, though less is considered better. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence offers related guidance suggesting no more than two hours of television per day.
However, it is important to remember that every family is different, and what works for one household may not suit another. Internet Matters emphasises that getting screen time right for your family’s individual needs is more important than rigidly following any single guideline.
Internet Matters suggests watching for signs that screen time might need adjusting. Overstimulated children may show aggression, experience crying episodes, or struggle to sit still. If your child begins to prefer screen time over playing with others or doing other activities, this might indicate that some rebalancing is needed. Similarly, anxiety or stress about not having a device can be a sign that screen time has become too important in their daily routine.
Having ongoing conversations
The UK Safer Internet Centre emphasises that talking with your child about staying safe online should be an ongoing conversation rather than a one-time discussion. You do not need to be a technology expert to have these conversations. Simple questions can open up valuable dialogue about their digital experiences.
Ask your child to show you the sites they like to visit and what they enjoy doing online. You might ask what games they play with their friends, or request that they show you the websites they visit most often. Suggesting that you play their favourite online game together can be a fantastic way to understand their digital world whilst spending quality time as a family.
It is also valuable to ask children how they stay safe online. Even young children often have tips they have learned at nursery or from educational programmes. Asking them what is acceptable to share and what is not helps reinforce these important boundaries. Make sure they know where to find help, whether that means coming to you, speaking to another trusted adult, or using the safety features built into the services they use.
Managing devices and apps safely
Many children now use apps on smartphones and tablets. CBeebies notes that some devices come with a dedicated child mode that prevents children from accidentally leaving an app and encountering unsuitable content. Child safety locks are also available as downloadable apps for mobile devices.
Be aware that some apps designed for children include in-app purchases. These allow money to be spent to progress to another level or unlock extra features within a game. Depending on your device, you can usually add parental controls that require a password before any purchase can be made. Some devices even allow you to set up a child profile that only permits free apps and games, whilst preventing all in-app purchases.
For games consoles, which typically connect to the internet, it is important to explore the parental control and security settings available. Each system offers different options, so taking time to understand and configure these settings ensures they match your family’s needs.
What about social media?
CBeebies reminds parents to consider carefully what they themselves share on social media about their children. Research from The Parent Zone reveals that the average parent will share their child’s image online nearly one thousand times before their fifth birthday. Before posting, think about whether your content could identify your child to strangers, compromise their safety, humiliate them, or cause them distress now or in the future.
Social networking sites designed for adults are not suitable for young children. The minimum suggested age for most social networking sites is thirteen years old. However, it is worth being aware of these restrictions now, as children grow quickly and may encounter these platforms through older siblings or friends.
Top tips for keeping children safe online
- Always sit with young children when they use the internet and explore age-appropriate sites together
- Set up parental controls on all devices and familiarise yourself with the safety features available
- Choose quality content over quantity, and look for apps and websites designed specifically for young children
- Have regular conversations about what your child enjoys online and how they can stay safe
- Keep devices in shared family spaces where possible
- Watch for signs of too much screen time, such as overstimulation or a preference for screens over other activities
- Be mindful of what you share about your child on your own social media accounts
- Remember that you do not need to be a technology expert to keep your child safe online
Useful resources
Keeping children safe online – CBeebies
UK Safer Internet Centre: Parents and Carers guides and resources
Internet Matters: Managing screen time for under-5s