Child safety is about keeping children protected from harm while helping them explore and learn. Parents can create a safe home environment, supervise activities, teach boundaries, and encourage safe habits like wearing seatbelts or helmets. It’s also important to talk with children about safety, listen to their concerns, and respond calmly. Balancing protection with independence helps children grow confident, resilient, and aware of risks in a safe way.

file:///C:/Users/User/Downloads/parents-safety-pack-march-25.pdf

Online safety

Why Online Safety Matters for Young Children

Even at ages 3 and 4, children are increasingly exposed to digital devices—tablets, smartphones, and computers. While these tools can be educational and entertaining, young children are very impressionable and need guidance to navigate the online world safely.

Key Points for Parents:

• Supervised Use: Always monitor your child’s screen time. Young children cannot reliably distinguish safe from unsafe content.

• Safe Content Only: Use age-appropriate apps, games, and videos. Platforms with parental controls help ensure children are not exposed to inappropriate material.

• Limit Personal Information Sharing: Teach your child never to share their name, location, or other personal details online.

• Model Safe Habits: Children learn by example. Show them how to navigate devices safely and respectfully.

• Communication: Encourage your child to tell you if they see something confusing or upsetting online.

By actively guiding your child’s early digital experiences, you help them develop healthy, safe, and positive habits that can last a lifetime.

For more information please see:

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

https://www.kidscape.org.uk/advice/advice-for-parents-and-carers/cyberbullying-and-digital-safety/

https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/0-5/

 

What do we cover at Parkview?

As part of our learning in Parkview we cover:

• Storytime with Safety Themes

  • Read picture books about “stranger danger” online or safe device use.

  • Discuss simple rules like “Ask an adult before clicking.”

• Role-Playing Games

  • Practice scenarios where children ask a grown-up before playing a new app or video.

  • Use puppets or toys to act out safe vs unsafe online choices.

• “Safe or Not Safe?” Sorting Game

  • Show pictures of different online actions (sharing name, clicking links, asking for help).

  • Children sort them into “Safe” or “Ask an Adult” piles.

• Simple Rule Posters

  • Create a visual poster with rules like:

    • Ask an adult first

    • Keep your name private

    • Only play safe games (covering age restrictions on games and films/TV programmes)

      Key Age Ratings and Content

    • PEGI 3: Suitable for all age groups; no inappropriate content.
    • PEGI 7: Mild, non-realistic violence.

    • Popular Game/App Age Limits

    • Roblox/Minecraft: Generally rated 7+.
    • Fortnite: Often rated 12+ due to shooter gameplay.
    • Social Media/Apps (TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp): Mostly restricted to 13+. 
    •  
    • PEGI 12: More realistic violence, fantasy violence, or mild bad language.
    • PEGI 16: More intense, realistic violence and stronger language.
    • PEGI 18: Adult-only, potentially intense,, or graphic violence. 
  •  

  • Key UK Film Classifications (BBFC):

• U (Universal): Suitable for all.
• PG (Parental Guidance): General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
• 12A/12: Films for 12+; 12A allows younger children if with an adult.
• 15: Strictly for 15 and older.
• 18: Strictly for adults. 

• Guided Tablet Time

  • Let children explore apps or videos with a teacher/parent nearby.

  • Pause to ask questions: “What should we do before we click?”

• Digital Story Creation

  • Children create their own “safe online adventure” using pictures or drawings.

  • Reinforces the idea of choosing safe options.

• Sing-Along Safety Songs or Rhymes

  • Make up simple songs about asking for help and being safe online.

  • Repetition helps children remember rules.

• Safe Device Practice Corners

  • Set up a “tech corner” where children practice using devices safely with adult support.

  • Include headphones, safe apps, and visual guides.

• “Guess What Happens?” Discussions

  • Show examples of safe vs unsafe actions in videos or stories and ask, “What should we do?”

  • Encourages critical thinking even at a young age.

• Parental/Staff Involvement

  • Regularly talk with children about their favourite apps or videos.

  • Praise safe choices to reinforce positive behaviour.