Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership

Online safety

Online safety means staying safe when using the internet – whether you're on a phone, tablet, or computer. It’s about being aware of the risks and knowing how to protect yourself and your children.

Children today are using the internet more than ever – at school, at home, and for fun. While it’s a great place to learn and connect, it can also expose children to risks like:

  • inappropriate content
  • cyberbullying
  • online scams
  • sharing personal information
  • contact from strangers

Why it matters

Teaching children to use the internet safely:

  • protects their privacy and personal information
  • helps avoid harmful content and interactions
  • builds digital confidence and responsibility

What you can do

Here are some simple ways to keep children safer online:

Top tips for online safety:

  • talk regularly with your child about what they do online
  • check their browser history and internet use
  • use strong passwords and update them regularly
  • keep privacy settings high on apps and devices
  • install and update security software
  • stay cautious on all devices – including phones
  • avoid clicking on links or messages you don’t trust

Working together

Online safety is everyone’s responsibility – schools, professionals, families, and organisations. Campaigns like Safer Internet Day promote safer digital practices.

They cover important topics such as:

  • consent and online boundaries
  • data privacy
  • cyberbullying
  • digital identity
  • social networks

Learn more and get help

For trusted advice, tools, and resources, visit the UK Safer Internet Centre

Below are some further useful links to information and resources regarding Online Safety