Keeping children safe online: What parents and carers need to know

Written by Natalie Hollins,

Parent Support Associate

In today’s digital world, children are spending more time online than ever before – whether for learning, entertainment, or socialising. While the internet offers endless opportunities, it also presents new risks. As parents and carers, staying informed about how to protect children online is more important than ever.

At Tute, we are committed to supporting families and schools in creating a safe online environment for children. Here’s what you need to know about recent developments, how you can support your child, and how we at Tute are helping.

New online safety rules from Ofcom

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has introduced new rules to help create a safer digital environment for children. These rules are part of a wider plan to ensure platforms prioritise child safety, following the Online Safety Act.

Some of the key changes include:

• Age-appropriate design: Platforms must ensure content, features, and settings are appropriate for the age of the child using them.
• Stronger moderation: Services are expected to reduce the risk of harmful content being seen by children, including bullying, abuse, and inappropriate material.
• Transparent reporting: Companies must provide clear ways for children (and parents) to report harmful content.
• Enhanced privacy: Children’s data must be protected, and default settings should favour safety and privacy.

You can learn more about these updates by visiting Ofcom’s full announcement here.

Raising safeguarding awareness

Safeguarding Awareness Week, promoted by TES, reminds us all that keeping children safe is a collective responsibility. The campaign highlights practical steps that schools, educators, and families can take to improve children’s online and offline safety.

Key advice includes:

• Educating children: Talk openly with your child about staying safe online – discuss issues like cyberbullying, sharing personal information, and recognising suspicious behaviour.
• Monitoring and involvement: Take an interest in the apps and websites your child uses. Regularly reviewing privacy settings and parental controls can also make a big difference.
• Building trust: Create an environment where your child feels comfortable talking to you if something worries them online.

To explore resources and more safeguarding tips, visit the TES campaign page here.

How Tute supports online safety

At Tute, safeguarding and online safety are at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to create a safe and supportive learning environment where every child can thrive.

Here’s how we support children and families:

• Strict safeguarding policies: All our staff are trained in safeguarding and are subject to enhanced DBS checks. We also have designated safeguarding leads.
• Safe online classrooms: Our virtual learning platform is designed with built-in safety features, including moderated live sessions, secure logins, and the ability for students to interact only in controlled, appropriate ways.
• Education on online safety: Through our lessons and support resources, we help children develop critical digital literacy and understand how to stay safe online.
• Parental engagement: We keep parents and carers informed and provide support so they can feel confident in their child’s online learning journey with us.

You can find out more about our safeguarding measures here on our website.

Final thoughts

Protecting children online is an evolving challenge, but one that we can meet by staying informed, communicating openly, and choosing trusted partners. At Tute, we are proud to play a part in building a safer digital world for the next generation.

If you’d like more advice or to learn about how Tute can support your child’s education safely online, get in touch with us – we’re here to help.