Parents can play a vital role in keeping their children safe online, but they’re often left out of the conversation. It’s not always easy – staff confidence, the pace of new apps and trends, and sensitive topics like generative AI, screen time, smartphone use, bullying, and exposure to inappropriate content can all make these discussions challenging.
However, in today’s digital world, online safety works best when schools and families work together.
Children’s online lives are increasingly complex and ever-changing, with new platforms, trends, and risks constantly emerging.
According to Ofcom’s Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report 2025, nearly half of teenagers now use all of the top five apps — YouTube, WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
More than half (55%) of children under 13 use at least one social media platform, and Instagram use among 8-9 year-olds has risen sharply from 8% in 2023, to 14% in 2024.
A third of 8-17 year-olds admit to giving a false age to access apps or websites, and up to a quarter have changed their date of birth since setting up their profile — with 8-12 year-olds most likely to do this on Snapchat.
Starting the conversation
When it comes to raising parent’s awareness of online safety, a drip-feed approach – incorporating short presentations into other events such as coffee mornings, parent evenings and celebration days, is more successful than yearly or termly standalone sessions. Co-presenting with students is very effective; they provide parents with an ‘insider’ view – sharing their firsthand experiences and knowledge of the latest trends, and can also be the ‘tech-experts’ demonstrating how to set privacy settings and controls on devices.
Keep families informed with clear, consistent communication – from newsletters and parent portals to messaging apps. Parents may not always understand the latest risks around gaming, social media, or GenAI etc. so the key is to make sure all communication is jargon-free, accessible and practical, to increase parents’ confidence in talking to their children. Explaining trends in simple, relatable terms, and sharing easy-to-use guides and resources help families continue the conversation. Always use trusted sources, such as the NSPCC, Childnet or Internet Matters, to avoid overwhelming families with too much conflicting information.
A two-way dialogue
A joined-up approach is essential when concerns arise, so encourage a two-way dialogue, ensuring parents feel heard and involved. Reinforce clear procedures for reporting issues, whether they occur inside or outside the classroom. Monitoring systems can alert staff to potential risks, but timely and sensitive communication with parents is crucial to ensure concerns are acted on quickly and appropriately. Equally, parents should be supported to spot early warning signs of online harm at home and know how to respond.
Home and school – a united front
Online safety works best when schools and families act together. When policies mirror the guidance shared with parents and both model responsible technology use, students see consistent messages in every part of their lives. By highlighting positive digital choices and framing safeguarding around empowerment instead of fear, schools can build trust and a true partnership with families.
To help schools, edtech charity, LGfL-the National Grid for Learning, has developed a free, comprehensive and practical resource for schools to use. The Parent Online Safety Toolkit https://parentonlinesafety.lgfl.net/, combines the latest research on young people’s online use and risks, with clear tips, conversation starters and resources for parents. It helps families keep up to date with new trends, apps and games, manage settings and controls, and talk to children about issues such as bullying, image sharing, AI chatbots, screen time, and staying safe from exploitation and grooming.
When schools and families work together, they create a strong safety net that helps identify concerns early, respond quickly, and support children both at home and in the classroom. Open communication, consistent messaging, and shared responsibility are crucial components for this partnership, helping to give young people the confidence and skills to navigate the online world safely.
