Internet Safety | The Importance of Internet Safety for Children

It is essential that we equip children with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world safely. This is practiced throughout our everyday curriculum at nursery, including through the Brighter Learning Approach enrichment of Super STEAM and with the help of our Health & Safety PC Paws. These practices can also be used at home to help support your own ways of making sure your children stay safe.

The Facts*

As per a recent report from Ofcom (2023, all reports came from parents/guardians completing a survey on behalf of their child)

• 87% of children aged 3-4 years old went online in 2022 to watch videos. The majority of those children watched videos on YouTube (51% used YouTube Kids and over 31% used the main YouTube site).
• 38% of 3-4-year-olds had their own profile on YouTube, with 14% having a profile on at least one other app or site.
• 48% of 3-4 year olds were reported to have used apps and sites to send messages or make video/voice calls, and those who did had mainly used WhatsApp (25%) and Facetime (19%).
• 65% of parents with children aged 3-4 said they supervised what their child does online by sitting beside them and watching or helping them with what they are doing
• 30% of parents of 3-4-year-olds said they found it hard to control their child’s screen time, the majority felt that they had achieved good results: over seven in ten (73%) agreed that their child had a good balance between screen time and doing things offline.

As per a recent report from Ofcom (2023, all reports came from parents/guardians completing a survey on behalf of their child)

• 87% of children aged 3-4 years old went online in 2022 to watch videos. The majority of those children watched videos on YouTube (51% used YouTube Kids and over 31% used the main YouTube site).
• 38% of 3-4-year-olds had their own profile on YouTube, with 14% having a profile on at least one other app or site.
• 48% of 3-4 year olds were reported to have used apps and sites to send messages or make video/voice calls, and those who did had mainly used WhatsApp (25%) and Facetime (19%).
• 65% of parents with children aged 3-4 said they supervised what their child does online by sitting beside them and watching or helping them with what they are doing
• 30% of parents of 3-4-year-olds said they found it hard to control their child’s screen time, the majority felt that they had achieved good results: over seven in ten (73%) agreed that their child had a good balance between screen time and doing things offline.

These statistics alone demonstrate the increasing integration of technology in young children’s lives, and as it continues to grow, so does the importance of making sure that as parents/caregivers, we are teaching and supporting our children to be safe online.

What are some of the benefits young children gain when they are on the internet?

Opportunity to promote creativity and learning

The internet offers a vast array of educational websites, apps, and interactive platforms that can stimulate children’s creativity and learning. Through engaging games, videos, and interactive activities, children can explore various subjects, develop problem-solving skills, and foster their imagination.

Language development

When engaging in online activities with their parents or caregivers, children have the chance to engage in back-and-forth conversations. This interaction helps in the development of language skills, vocabulary, and communication abilities. Narratives in online content, such as storytelling apps and educational videos, also contribute to enhancing language development.

Numeracy/literacy development

Many online resources are designed to improve maths and literacy skills. Interactive games, puzzles, and apps can help children recognise numbers, letters, and words. These digital tools often incorporate playful methods that make learning more enjoyable, encouraging children to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

Understanding of the world

The internet provides access to a vast range of information about different cultures, countries, and aspects of the world. Children can explore virtual museums, view images of landmarks, and even connect with children from diverse backgrounds through online platforms. This exposure broadens their understanding of the world, fostering a sense of curiosity and appreciation for diversity

Development of digital skills

In today’s digital age, proficiency with technology is a valuable skill. Allowing children to explore the internet under supervision helps them develop digital literacy and competence. Navigating websites, using educational apps, and understanding basic online safety principles are essential skills that will serve them well in the future.

How you can help at home

Children can be exposed to digital equipment to develop their learning, but within a controlled manner and safe enviornment. This can be implemented by:

• Using safety settings on your device to ensure apps are age-appropriate. You can also apply filters and set parent controls and passwords.
• Sitting with your child when using the internet, playing games together to making it a fun bonding experience. As your child gets older and requests independence, have them within the same room as you and make sure you remain near them whilst they use the internet.
• Talk to your child about being safe and what it means, as your child gets older they will show more understanding of this. Show them how to be safe.
• Set rules or boundaries, such as time limits.
• Further their learning through internet use, or after internet use. For example, you might have been to the zoo today, when you come back you watch some educational videos about your child’s favourite animal, or you play some animal match up games, or you put the photos you have taken onto a computer to look through with your child

What we can do at nursery

• We are taking an active role within the Early Years setting to educate children on internet safety, whilst giving them different types of digital equipment for them to play with and experiment with.
• We have polices, procedures and resources in place to safeguard the children regarding online safety and use of technology within the setting, such as PC Paws, our Health and Safety mascot
• Providing experiences with technology that are controlled and have purpose. For example, if we had read ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ we then could watch a timelapse on the lifecycle of a caterpillar/butterfly, we then could listen to a butterfly song on YouTube which explains the lifecycle whilst dancing along.
• We monitor and use digital equipment with the child/children and also talk to them about what we have learnt or how they felt whist using the digital devices.
• Our ‘Terrific Tech’ aspect from the Brighter Learning Approach enrichment Super Steam is one of the ways that we help introduce children to technology from an early age.

Please stay up to date with the benefits and risks to your children of internet safety. If you have any further questions, reach out to your Nursery Manager, who will be able to give you some more support and guidance.

Blog written by: Katie Houghton (Nursery Manager at The Old Station Nursery Bampton)

Blog checked by: Kat Learner (Training & Professional Development Manager)