Family Digital Safety Agreements
We are all using the internet and our devices far more and it is important that parents/carers continue to be mindful of the access and experience children have while using iPads/tablets, computers and phones. A great way to support children by helping them to develop healthy online habits is to put in place a family agreement.
As well as addressing issues around contact from strangers and time spent online, a family internet agreement can also consider use of devices during family meals and appropriate behaviour online.
There are a number of excellent resources to help families create an agreement, which parents/carers could choose to access. InternetMatters.org has created this structured agreement, which is recommended as a starting point for most families.
For parents/carers who have a clear idea of what they want, Childnet have produced this more open-ended agreement, along with this blog giving guidance to parents/carers on how to structure a family discussion around safe and appropriate internet use.
We recommend putting in place an agreement for children from Reception up to Year 6, and reviewing the agreement once or twice a year, so that as children develop the agreement can change to reflect their growing needs.