What Parents & Carers Need to Know about TikTok

Around an eighth of the world’s population use TikTok. Consider the scale of that reach, and that the app’s demographic is heavily skewed towards younger people – with almost half (41%) of those users aged 16–24. TikTok itself advises a minimum age of 13 to access the platform (with certain features for over-18s only), but reports suggest that some children as young as 10 use it.

Given the youthfulness of its user-base, TikTok has faced numerous age-related challenges such as inappropriate content in videos, in-app purchasing and children being contacted by strangers on the platform. Updated for 2022, this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide tells trusted adults everything they need to know to help young people stay safe on TikTok.

Read on to access your free guide and catch up on the latest online safety news…National Online Safety

What Parents & Carers Need to Know about How to Combat Online Bullying

According to Ofcom’s 2022 Media Use and Attitudes report, children are now more likely to be bullied via technology than they are to experience it in person. An alarming 84% of 8 to 17-year-olds who reported being targeted said it had taken place via messaging, social media, online gaming and so on, as opposed to 61% who had been intimidated face-to-face.

Just like its offline counterpart, cyber-bullying creates feelings of isolation and anxiety in its victims, along with a loss of self-esteem and potentially thoughts of self-harm or suicide. In support of Anti-Bullying Week, today’s #WakeUpWednesday guide has expert tips on how trusted adults can help to prevent online bullying or reduce its damaging effects.

Read on to access your free guide and catch up on the latest online safety news…National Online Safety

What Parents Need to Know about Sendit

On general principle, any app which allows children to communicate with others anonymously online should be treated with a substantial measure of caution – and Sendit is no exception. For some individuals, the extra layer of security that anonymity provides is an open invitation to post negative and hurtful comments without fear of the consequences.

Indeed, some Scandinavian schools have already gone as far as warning parents about the dangers of children downloading and using Sendit, following a spate of bullying and harassment incidents. As this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide highlights, the cost of subscriptions and the tendency for young people to be drawn into using the app habitually are among Sendit’s other potential risks.

Read on to access your free guide and catch up on the latest online safety news…National Online Safety

What Parents Need to Know about FIFA 23

You don’t have to be football crazy or an avid gamer to have heard of the all-conquering FIFA franchise. What you might not know is that this latest edition will be the last release to bear that name, thanks to a parting of the ways between football’s governing body FIFA (that’s Federation Internationale de Football Association, acronym fans) and developers EA Sports.

There’s no disputing that the game’s been an immense success – but what’s less impressive is its tendency to look defensively shaky against some online threats. Young players aiming to recreate their football heroes’ exploits can be at risk from abusive opponents, expensive in-game purchases and the “just one more game” mentality. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide tackles FIFA 23.

Read on to access your free guide and catch up on the latest online safety news…National Online Safety

10 Tips for Parents and Carers: How to be Green with your Tech

What parents need to know about Reddit

Over the last ten years, Reddit’s monthly user count has grown from 70 million to an estimated 430 million. Around two-thirds of that total are in the 18–29 age bracket, which adds up to a lot of fairly young people discussing … well, pretty much whatever they want. It’s easy to see how that environment might not be suitable for younger users!

Unsurprisingly, age-inappropriate content is therefore a common risk on Reddit, and – as this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide explains – it’s not in isolation. Constant distracting notifications, online harassment and uninvited contact from strangers are also among the threats that young people might encounter through using Reddit.

Read on to access your free guide and catch up on the latest online safety news…National Online Safety

What parents need to know about Roblox

Over the past decade, Roblox has become one of the world’s most popular platforms for young gamers. It’s certainly among the most commercially successful: during one three-month period in 2020, for example, players spent a staggering £200 million on in-game purchases. The possible financial costs, however, aren’t the only area to have caused concern.

How are some sections of Roblox unsuitable for younger players? Why aren’t private or VP servers a water-tight defence against strangers? Who are ODers and why should children be wary of them? Why is it a good idea to disable the private messaging function? Updated for 2022, our #WakeUpWednesday guide to Roblox has the answers.

Read on to access your free guide and catch up on the latest online safety news…National Online Safety

For #WakeUpWednesday this week, we’ve produced a poster with some useful reminders for children on how they can stay safe – and ensure a positive experience for others – when they’re having fun online this summer. How many of our top tips can you and your child spot dotted around our bustling skatepark?National Online Safety

12 Ways to Champion Equality Online

Footballers are used to harsh treatment from opposing crowds during the heat of battle over 90 minutes – it goes with the territory. But comments made about them from the world at large, over the internet, based on something other than their footballing ability? It shouldn’t happen. Not in 2022. Regrettably, however, discrimination is still very much alive and kicking.

With record attendances, plentiful TV coverage, some thrilling matches and – dare we say it? – a more evident sense of fair play than the men’s game, the Women’s European Football Championships is one of the sporting showpieces of the summer so far. Our #WakeUpWednesday guide suggests how we can all help to keep it that way with some tips for championing equality online.National Online Safety