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Children’s Online Activity and Internet Safety

Children’s Online Activity and Internet Safety

Teachers are dealing with the consequences of unrestricted internet access.

 

a child using a computer alone in the dark think about online internet safety
Unsupervised, the internet can be an unsafe place.

 

In 2020 we ran a survey that indicated teachers were dealing with the consequences of unrestricted internet access. Some findings included: 

  • Two-thirds of nine- to eleven-year-olds were regularly tired due to late nights online. 
  • Three-quarters of teachers reported that children in their class were using TikTok.
  • 70% of teachers reported that children in their class were using Snapchat.
  • Teachers felt less than half of parents of nine- to eleven-year-olds actively monitored their children's online activity.
  • Eight out of ten teachers dealt with cyberbullying in their class.
  • Two-thirds of teachers had dealt with pupils who encountered misleading information online. 

 

Ofcoms findings in 2024

 

Every year, Ofcom publishes a report on Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes. In 2024, they discovered that ‘96% of children aged 5-7 go online and 99% of children aged 12-15 go online’.  

 

They found that the proportion of all 5 to 7-year-olds who used apps and sites increased year-on-year. In 2024:

  • 65% of children send messages or make voice or video calls,
  • 38% of children use social media apps or sites,
  • 50% of children watch live-streaming apps or sites, 
  • 41% of children play games online, 
  • 37% of children use WhatsApp,
  • 30% of children use TikTok, 
  • 22% of children use Instagram, and 
  • 4% of children use Discord.

 

a graph showing 5 to 7 year olds online activity
Five to seven year olds are becoming increasingly present online

 

This means that in a class of 30 5 to 7 year olds, around 11 children are using social media apps or sites, despite them being under the minimum age of 13 to open accounts.

 

Ofcom reported that an increasing proportion of 5 to 7-year-olds have their own profiles on social media platforms: 

  • 48% have YouTube/YouTube Kids profiles
  • 11% have WhatsApp profiles, and 
  • 9% have Instagram profiles.

 

32% of parents of 5 to 7-year-olds who have profiles on social media platforms reported that their child uses them on their own. 42% of parents said they use social media with their child. 

 

A preview image of PlanBee's Savvy Surfers PSHE scheme of work for Year 3.
View the Savvy Surfers scheme of work for Year 3

 

Who is going online?

Ofcom found that 96% of 5 to 7-year-olds, 98% of 8 to 11-year-olds, and 100% of 12 to 17-year-olds are going online. This means the vast majority of the children in your primary school class have access to the internet. 

 

Ofcom reported that 26% of 5 to 7-year-olds, 61% of 8 to 11-year-olds, 96% of 12 to 15-year-olds and 99% of 16 to 17-year-olds have their own mobile phone. This probably means that several children in your class have unsupervised access to the Internet.

 

Social Media Pros and Cons

Social media can be a great way to connect with others, learn new things and be part of a community. The evidence shows that social media is addictive and that children are at a greater risk of harm from it than adults as their brains are still developing. 

 

Read more about brain development

 

The risks include seeing inappropriate content, oversharing, cyberbullying and being groomed.

Social media platforms have age ratings to help protect children from their dangers. 

 

Do you know the main features of the social media platforms your class is using? 

Do you know the age ratings for each platform?

 

What are the age ratings and features of different online platforms?

Facebook

Age rating: 13+

Facebook is a social networking platform. It allows users to connect with others online, share content, and keep in touch. Content that can be shared includes text, photos & videos. Users can be followed, groups can be joined, and content can be liked and commented on. It also has private instant messaging and a marketplace. 

 

YouTube

Age rating: 13+

YouTube is a video streaming and sharing platform. It allows users to connect with others online and share content. Users can be followed and content can be liked and commented on. 

Users must be at least 13 years old to use YouTube. Children between 13 and 17-years-old must have parental permission to open an account or create a channel. However, children of all ages may use YouTube and YouTube Kids if enabled by a parent or legal guardian. On YouTube, users can subscribe to content, and pay for membership or donate money via super chat. 

 

Instagram 

Age rating: 13+

Instagram is a photo and video-sharing app. Users can upload photos or videos and share them with their followers or with a select group of friends. They can view, comment, like and share posts. Instagram also has private instant messaging and live streaming.

 

WhatsApp 

Age rating: 16+

WhatsApp is a messaging app that uses the internet. Users can send text, photos, videos, audio and links in messages. Messages can be sent to one person or in group chats.

 

TikTok

Age rating: 13+

TikTok is a social media platform for creating, sharing and discovering short videos. Direct messages can be sent.

 

Telegram

Age rating: 16+

Telegram is a messaging app that allows users to send messages, photos, videos, and files to contacts. Users can also send and receive voice and video calls. They can create and join groups and channels.

 

Snapchat 

Age rating: 13+

Snapchat is a communications app. Users communicate with messaging or phone calls. Sent pictures and videos 'disappear' after being viewed. 

 

X (formally known as Twitter)

Age rating: 13+

Twitter is a social media platform. It allows users to post and share text, photos, videos and links in short messages. Direct messages can be sent.

 

Discord 

Age rating: 13+

Discord is a communication platform. It allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, and share their screens with others. Messages can be sent privately or in groups.

 

Twitch

Age rating: 13+

Twitch is an interactive live-streaming service. It allows users to watch and broadcast content. Viewers can interact with the person streaming via the chat. On Twitch, users can subscribe and pay monthly and pay to ‘cheer’ using ‘bits’ to highlight messages.

 

Reddit

Age rating: 13+

Reddit is a media forum. Users share news stories and other content. Content can be voted on and direct messages can be sent.

 

Kick

Age rating: 13+

Kick is a live video streaming platform. Users can create, browse and watch streaming channels.

 

PlayStation Network 

Age rating: 7+ 

The PlayStation Network allows users to access features and services on their PlayStation console, including the store, online gaming and chat features. Users under the age of 18 have to have parental consent. 

 

Xbox Online (formally known as Xbox Live)

Age rating: 13+

Xbox Online allows users to access features and services on their Xbox console, including the store, online gaming and chat features.

 

Steam

Age rating: 13+

Steam streams games on iOS devices, Apple TV, Android devices, Android TV, and more. It is a storefront for users to purchase and play games from small and large developers. Users can interact with other players and live stream.

 

Epic

Age rating: none (but there are some restrictions for under 13s)

Epic is similar to Steam. Users can download and play games. It has a secure messaging channel that allows users to communicate and collaborate with other Epic users.

 

A preview image of PlanBee's Online Safety free printable for KS2.
View this free online safety printable.

 

View the full Ofcom Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report 2024

 

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