Moving to Secondary School: A Parent’s Guide to Online Safety
Starting secondary school is a big milestone for children and their families. Alongside new friendships, increased independence and academic challenges, young people often experience greater freedom online. Many may receive their first smartphone, spend more time on apps, and begin communicating independently with peers.
While this independence is exciting, it also brings new challenges. As a parent or carer, your guidance plays a vital role in helping your child develop safe, responsible digital habits during this transition.
Why Online Safety Matters Now
At secondary school age, children are more likely to:
- Interact with people beyond their immediate friendship groups
- Share personal information online
- Encounter inappropriate content or online risks
Building strong habits early can help protect children and give them confidence to navigate the online world safely.
Top Tips for Parents and Carers
1. Keep conversations open
Talk regularly about your child’s online experiences. Encourage them to share who they are talking to and what platforms they use.
2. Set clear boundaries
Agree on screen time limits, appropriate apps, and rules around device use-especially at night.
3. Explore privacy settings together
Make sure accounts are set to private and show children how to report or block users.
4. Discuss online behaviour
Help your child understand the importance of kindness, respect, and thinking before sharing.
5. Know the risks
Be aware of issues such as cyberbullying, online grooming, gaming chat risks, and misinformation.
Download the Full Guide
For more detailed advice and practical tools, download the full Internet Matters Parent Guide to Moving to Secondary School below: