ICO helps parents to be switched on to children's privacy
The Information Commissioners’ Office (ICO) has launched a new campaign to help parents keep their children safe online.
Switched on to privacy was developed to help parents and carers of 4- to 11-year-olds to talk about online privacy.
“Just as parents would talk with their children about road safety or speaking with strangers, online privacy is another life skill children need as they grow up. Small, regular conversations can help children understand what personal information is, how it’s used, and how to make safer choices online,” an ICO spokesperson explains.
Three steps for parents
The campaign is built around three steps:
- chat with your child about online privacy
- choose actively what personal information to share
- check the settings whenever your child uses a new device or app
Small conversations now can make a big difference as children grow up.
Open conversations
Our Infrastructure & Security Team Manager Graham Burke was part of the campaign’s launch. Although Graham and his wife have an ‘offline only’ policy for their primary-aged daughter’s tablet, the family has already started having open conversations about what to share and what not to share.
"I want her digital footprint to be as small as possible at the moment. I think it’s important to let it be her decision, so when she wants to do it, it’s her choice what to share,” says Graham.
“My advice to other parents is to be really open and honest, give your children the tools to evaluate what is appropriate to share, make their own decisions about what to post, and then trust them.”
Find free tips, videos and conversation starters from ICO switched on to privacy website.