We know that parents want to keep their children safe online. We’re also aware that parents don’t always know how to start or where to go for help. Worryingly, research such as the NACOS report tells us that children and young people may not go to their parents if they have an issue or a worry about something they have seen online.
With this in mind, it is helpful to know that there are now more rules aimed at protecting children online. Our Online Safety Framework regulates online platforms and other services, and requires them to make changes to their services so that children are better protected online and are less likely to see harmful or illegal content.
Watch the video below, which outlines the rights that our Online Safety Framework affords young people.
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If you find an online platform has not met its duties under these rules, you can make a report to Coimisiún na Meán. See more on how to report on our complaints guidance page.
Here are some top tips for you to help keep your child safe online.
- Use privacy settings: Be careful who you allow to follow you online and consider setting your accounts to private. If and when you allow your children access to online gaming or social media sites, make sure their accounts are set to private and speak to them regularly about interacting with strangers online. If you are worried about a stranger talking to your child online and you suspect it might be grooming, contact the Gardaí on 1800 555 222.
- Use strong passwords and change them often: Consider using Irish words in your passwords for more protection, or a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You should avoid using a word that can be found in a dictionary, or the name of a person, character, product or organisation. When passwords are too easy, children can often guess them and can override parental controls.
- Use parental controls, but also keep talking to your child about safety online: Parental controls can be useful, especially when your child is very young. You can block certain websites or you can turn off the WiFi at certain times of the day. You can also choose to put parental controls on your home WiFi or you can install parental controls on each device or app. Under the Online Safety Framework, certain online platforms whose terms of service allow users under 16 to use the service must now have parental controls in place. However, it is important to remember that parental controls are not a silver bullet, and they can sometimes be perceived as undermining trust and privacy. That is why it is really important to have frequent, open conversations with your child about online safety. Check in regularly with your child about what they like to do online, and talk to them about their concerns. For more ideas on how to do this, check out Webwise’s topic generator tool.
- Control your experience: Block, mute and/or report accounts or posts you find upsetting. If you see something illegal online, Spot it, Flag it, Stop it and report the post/account as illegal. If and when you report content online, make a point of asking your children if they know how to do this and show them if they aren’t sure.
- Use digital wellbeing controls: Remember that most online apps are designed to keep you scrolling for a long time. This can sometimes lead to adverse effects on your wellbeing and mental health. To ensure your digital wellbeing, use the timers and controls that allow you to keep track of your time online. Be mindful of your own phone/internet use. This might also help you set a good example for your children. For example, consider setting time aside every day, or as regularly as you can, to be without your device and do other things you enjoy (e.g. sports, reading, crafts, meeting a friend or family, or simply going for a walk). You might also consider a ‘digital detox’ if things get too much. You can find tips and tools for this online.
- Check your sources: While it is great that there is so much information at your fingertips online, it is also important to be mindful of misinformation and disinformation. Remember to Be Media Smart and Stop, Think, Check before sharing or accepting information as true online. Encourage your child not to believe the first thing that comes up in a search engine (very often, it can actually be an ad), and remind them to always check in with you or a teacher if they are unsure of information online.
- Be kind online: Please think before you post, be a good role model to children and be kind online.
Further information/signposting
Coimisiún na Meán is a new regulator in this online safety space. There are lots of other great organisations in Ireland working hard to empower parents to feel confident to discuss online safety and media literacy with their child. See below common questions that parents may have and our signposts to many useful resources already in place.