Ofcom keep children safe online during the holidays

Above: Ofcom logo

Ofcom has today launched a campaign to help keep children safe online during the summer holidays.


The internet offers a range of opportunities for fun, learning and development at the click of a mouse, but it's important that parents, carers and children have the right skills and information to help keep them safe online.

• Two-thirds of 5-7 year olds now use the internet at home, rising to over three-quarters of 8-11 year olds and over four-fifths of 12-15s.
• Of these, one fifth of 5-7 year olds use the internet without an adult present, as do almost half of 8-11 year olds and two-thirds of 12-15s.
• 12-15 year olds say they spend an average of nearly 14 hours a week online.
• Over a third of 12-15 year olds say they mostly access the internet in their bedroom.  During this time they could encounter inappropriate or even potentially harmful content.

 

Find out what you can do to help children enjoy the internet safely this summer by watching or reading Ofcom's guide to show parents and carers how to use parental controls and filters to manage their children's access to digital TV and internet content. The guide also encourages parents and carers to talk to their children about what they do on the internet and how to use it safely.

 

The video and guide can be found here:

 

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/advice/guides/media/