Online Safety

At Lydlynch, we believe that every child deserves to explore the digital world safely, confidently, and with curiosity. As part of our safeguarding commitment, we teach pupils how to navigate online spaces with care—developing their understanding of privacy, respectful communication, and age-appropriate content.

We work in partnership with parents and carers to ensure consistent messages at home and school. Through regular and practical advice, we help families stay informed about the latest apps, games, and online trends.

Our curriculum includes age-appropriate digital safety lessons, empowering children to:

Recognise safe and unsafe online behaviour
Know what to do if something worries them
Understand the importance of keeping personal information private

Together, we can build a culture of digital kindness and vigilance—where every child feels protected, supported, and ready to thrive in a connected world.

For tips, resources, and guidance, visit the links below or speak to our Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Social Media Age Restrictions

It’s important to remember that the legal age to have an account on most social media – Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat – is 13 years old. See the infographic below for guidance on the age restrictions on some social media platforms. Please note this guidance can and does change regularly.

Online safety at home

Even at infant age, children are curious explorers—often drawn to screens, games, and digital devices. While their online activity may seem innocent, it’s never too early to build safe habits and strong foundations.

Here are some key tips to help keep your child safe online:

👀 Be Present and Involved

Co-view and co-play: Explore apps, games, and videos together. Talk about what they’re seeing and doing.
Ask open questions: “What do you like about this game?” or “Who’s your favourite character?” builds trust and awareness.

🧒 Use Age-Appropriate Platforms

Choose apps and websites designed for young children, ideally with no chat features or external links.
Use parental controls to restrict access and set screen time limits.

🔒 Protect Personal Information

Teach your child not to share their name, school, or photos online—even in games.
Avoid using real names when setting up profiles; nicknames or initials are safer.

🗣️ Build Digital Vocabulary Early

Introduce simple safety language: “If something feels funny or wrong, tell a grown-up.”
Reinforce the idea that not everything online is true or safe—even if it looks fun.

🧭 Model Healthy Habits

Let your child see you using technology responsibly—taking breaks, choosing kind content, and asking questions.
Create screen-free zones or times (e.g. mealtimes, bedtime) to balance digital and real-world play.

📚 Stay Informed

Keep up with popular apps and games—even those aimed at young children can include ads or unsafe links.
Visit trusted sites like the ones listed below for up-to-date advice.