Online Safety for Young Children: A Parent’s Guide for Ages 0-4

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:18:26 GMT

Why online safety matters for young children

Even before children can read or write, they may already be using connected devices. From watching nursery rhymes on a tablet to video-calling family members, technology can be a useful part of family lif

For babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, parents and carers are their first line of defence when it comes to online safety for young children . At this age, keeping children safe online is less about teaching complicated internet safety rules and more about creating safe routines, choosing age-appropriate content and being involved in what they do online.

The good news is that it’s never too early to start building healthy digital habits.

Meet Smartie the Penguin

A lovely way to introduce young children to online safety is Smartie the Penguin , a Childnet story created for children aged around 3–7. Smartie helps children learn what to do when something online makes them feel worried, confused or upset.

For younger children, the message can be kept very simple:

“If something worries you online, stop and tell a grown-up.”

Parents and carers can read or explore Smartie’s story together and use it as a starting point for simple conversations about staying safe online.

Online safety for babies and toddlers aged 0-2

Babies and young toddlers won’t understand online safety rules yet, so the focus should be on the adults around them.

Try to:

Keep phones and tablets out of reach when they aren’t being used
Use parental controls and age-appropriate settings on devices and apps
Choose suitable, trusted content rather than allowing children to browse freely
Avoid letting autoplay take children from one video to another without supervision
Keep devices updated and protected with passwords
Think carefully before sharing photographs or personal information about your child online
Whenever possible, sit with your child and enjoy digital activities together

Internet Matters recommends that parents of pre-school children make use of parental controls on home broadband and internet-enabled devices and check what children could potentially see online.

Online safety for children aged 3-4

As children become more independent, they can begin learning simple online safety messages.

You don’t need complicated explanations. Instead, use short, memorable phrases such as:

Stop. Close it. Tell a grown-up.

You can also start simple conversations by asking questions such as:

“What would you do if something popped up that you didn’t like?”
“Who could you tell if something online made you worried?”
“Can we look at this together?”
“Which grown-ups can help you?”

Childnet recommends starting conversations about online safety as early as possible and giving young children simple strategies, such as closing the screen or asking an adult for help if something worries them.

5 ways to keep young children safe online

1. Choose age-appropriate content

Check the age rating and content before giving your child access to a new app, game or programme.

Remember that some apps and games may contain advertising, purchases or features that aren’t suitable for young children.

2. Use parental controls

Take advantage of the safety settings available on your devices, apps, streaming services and home broadband.

Parental controls can help filter unsuitable content, restrict purchases and manage what children can access.

3. Watch and play together

For young children, co-viewing is one of the best online safety tools available.

Sit alongside your child, talk about what you are watching and help them learn how to respond if something unexpected appears.

4. Create healthy routines

Technology is only one part of a young child’s day. Creating a healthy balance between screen time and other activities can help children develop positive digital habits from an early age.

Make plenty of time for:

Playing
Reading
Creative activities
Outdoor play
Sleep
Family time

Internet Matters provides specific guidance for parents of 0–5-year-olds, including advice about parental controls, safe searching and creating a healthy balance between screen time and other activities.

5. Make asking for help normal

Perhaps the most important online safety lesson for a young child is:

“You can always tell me.”

If your child sees something frightening, confusing or inappropriate online, try to stay calm. Reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you.

Avoid blaming them for what happened. Instead, help them understand what to do next and remind them that they can always come to a trusted grown-up for help.

Helping children build healthy digital habits

Keeping children safe online doesn’t mean keeping them away from technology completely.

Digital devices can support communication, creativity, entertainment and learning. The aim is to help children experience the benefits of technology while having safe boundaries and a trusted adult close by.

For children aged 0-4, supervision, parental controls, age-appropriate content and positive family routines can make a big difference.

And just like Smartie the Penguin learns, children need to know that when something doesn’t feel right online, they can always ask a trusted grown-up for help.

Find out more

Parents and carers can find more practical online safety advice and resources through:

Childnet – Smartie the Penguin
A child-friendly resource introducing young children to online safety and encouraging them to speak to a trusted adult when something worries them
Internet Matters – Early Years Online Safety
Practical guidance for parents and carers of young children, covering parental controls, age-appropriate content, screen time and building healthy digital habits

Remember

Little eyes are learning. Little minds are exploring. Let’s make their digital world a safe one.

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