Keeping your children safe online this summer

For many families, the summer holidays mean a little more screen time. Whether it's watching videos on a rainy afternoon, playing games with friends, keeping in touch while everyone's away or discovering a new hobby, the internet is a big part of how children spend their free time.

There's a lot to love about being online, but it's important to remember that not everything children come across will be suitable or safe. From cyberbullying and scams to inappropriate content, privacy risks and online predators, the internet can expose young people to situations they may not know how to handle.

That's why it's worth taking a few minutes to talk about online safety over the summer. Just as you'd remind your child to stay safe when they're out with friends or crossing the road, helping them make smart choices online can give them the confidence to enjoy the internet safely.

Whether you've got younger children, older kids or teenagers at home, these simple online safety tips can help make sure their summer is fun, safe and positive – both on and offline.

Most of the time, children have positive experiences online. They use the internet to learn, play, chat with friends and explore their interests. But spending more time online – especially during the summer holidays – also means they're more likely to come across things that aren't appropriate or safe.

• Cyberbullying: Bullying doesn't stop when the school day ends. Hurtful messages, exclusion from group chats or negative comments on social media can have a lasting impact on a child's confidence, mental health and overall wellbeing.

• Scams and phishing: Online scams are becoming more convincing, and children can be targeted too. Fake competitions, in-game offers, phishing emails and messages may try to trick them into clicking suspicious links or sharing personal information.

• Inappropriate content: Without parental controls or age-appropriate settings, children may come across content that's unsuitable for their age, including violence, explicit material, hate speech or misinformation.

• Online grooming: Some adults use gaming platforms, social media and messaging apps to build trust with children before attempting to manipulate or exploit them.

• AI-generated content and deepfakes: AI is making it easier to create realistic-looking images, videos and audio that aren't real. Children may find it difficult to tell fact from fiction and could come across misleading or harmful content online, making it more important than ever to think critically about what they see.

• Privacy and oversharing: Sharing personal information, photos, or locations online can put children at risk if the wrong people see it. 

With more free time over the summer holidays, it's only natural that children will spend a little longer online. Whether they're messaging friends, watching videos, gaming or scrolling through social media, spending more time on the internet is all part of growing up.

The good news is that helping them stay safe doesn't have to be complicated. By encouraging good online habits, setting a few simple boundaries and using the right tools, you can help your child enjoy everything the internet has to offer with confidence.

Here are some helpful tips:

1. Talk about online safety regularly

Make online safety part of everyday conversations rather than one big talk. Ask your child about the games they enjoy, the videos they watch and who they chat to online. Stay curious and avoid being judgmental, so they feel comfortable coming to you if something doesn't feel right. Regular conversations also make it easier to discuss new apps, online trends and any concerns as they grow.

2. Use parental controls

Parental controls are a simple way to help create a safer online experience. They can filter age-inappropriate content, manage screen time and give you more control over what your child can access. As your child grows, review your settings together to make sure they still match their age and online habits. Remember that parental controls work best alongside open conversations rather than replacing them.

If you're a Virgin Media broadband customer, Essential Security also includes parental controls that can help block age-inappropriate websites and create a safer online experience for the whole family.

3. Set healthy screen time habits

The summer holidays often mean a little more time on screens, and that's okay. The key is finding a healthy balance. Agree on screen time limits together and make time for offline activities too, whether that's getting outside, reading, playing sport or spending time as a family. Setting device-free times, such as during meals or before bed, can also help create healthy digital habits.

4. Teach children how to protect their personal information

Help your child understand what personal information is and why it should stay private. Remind them never to share details like their full name, address, school, passwords or live location with people they only know online. It's also worth explaining that photos and videos can sometimes reveal personal information, such as where they live or go to school, even if they don't share it directly.

5. Help them spot scams and online risks

Scammers don't just target adults. Teach your child to be cautious of unexpected messages, fake competitions, offers that seem too good to be true and links from people they don't know. Encourage them to stop and ask you if they're ever unsure about something they've seen online. You can also remind them that not everyone they meet online is who they claim to be, so it's important to think carefully before trusting new contacts.

Together with these conversations, Virgin Media Advanced Security helps protect your devices by blocking malicious websites, phishing links and SMS scams, while alerting you to suspicious activity before it puts your personal information at risk.

Want more tips? Take a look at our online safety hub to learn more information about keeping you and your loved ones safe online. And if you fancy testing your knowledge, there's also our Children's Internet Safety Test to test your knowledge and discover practical ways to improve your online safety.

Helping your child stay safe online is about more than setting rules – it's about creating an environment where they can enjoy the internet safely and confidently. Spending time online together is a great way to understand the games they play, the apps they use and the websites they visit, while keeping devices in shared family spaces can make it easier to offer support when they need it.

It's also worth finding out what your child's school, clubs or activities are doing to protect children's privacy and promote online safety, so you're all working together. Keep an eye on your child's internet use without making them feel like they're constantly being watched, and always take any concerns they raise seriously. What might seem like a small issue to you could feel overwhelming to them.

Looking for more ways to help keep your family safe online? Visit our Online Safety Hub for expert advice, practical guides and useful tools to help children build safe and confident digital habits.