If Your Child is Aged Under 5

Advice if your child is under 5 years old

  • Start setting some boundaries, even at this early age … it’s never too early to do things like setting limits for the amount of time they can spend on the computer.
  • Make sure devices like your mobile, tablet or laptop are out of reach. Set up passwords/PINs and make sure you keep these details to yourself.
  • On computers and any other devices your child has access to, set the parental controls to the appropriate age, and enabling access to only appropriate content.
  • Buy or download parental control software, switch it on and keep it updated. There are many versions on the market, which work in different ways and available at a range of prices, starting at free.
  • The big four Internet Service Providers (ISPs) give their customers free parental controls which can be activated at any time. Check them out and take advantage of them.
  • Buy or download only apps, games, online TV and films which have age ratings, which you should check before allowing your child to play with or watch them.
  • Play video games together to establish it as a family activity. Sneaky Sasquatch, Toca Life, Good Pizza Great Pizza and Car Quest are popular examples.
  • Share your technology rules with grandparents, babysitters and your child’s friends’ parents so that they know what to do when looking after your child.
  • When using public WiFi – for example in cafés or hotels – remember that it might not include parental controls. Innocently letting your child play with your mobile or tablet while you’re enjoying a latte may result in them accessing inappropriate content or revealing personal information.
  • If you have a family computer or tablet, set the homepage to an appropriate website such as Cbeebies

 

In partnership with

Jargon Buster

A Glossary of terms used in this article:

WiFi

A local area network which uses radio signals instead of a wire to transmit data.