According to Ofcom, 69% of under-18s use a smartphone as their main method of going online. Additionally, 49% of children use them for online gaming – putting smartphones only behind consoles (59%) as the device of choice for playing games on. Most people won’t require such statistical evidence, however, to acknowledge the huge importance of phones to young people.

Given that Santa’s recent visit is likely to have bestowed smartphones on an even greater number of young people, it’s a particularly opportune moment to ensure that children are able to use their handsets responsibly – and, above all, safely. From passcodes to parental controls, and from screen time to scams, our #WakeUpWednesday guide has the essential advice.

Grab our guide below!National Online Safety

Gone are the days of Black Friday only existing in the physical environs of the high street. Now, both this retail landmark and its sister event, Cyber Monday, see deals and discounts displayed across almost every online retailer. The array of reductions makes this an ideal moment to treat a loved one (or yourself!) to those treasured items for considerably less than their usual cost.

The frantic dash for the best bargains online, however, also harbours several risks: chiefly, cybercriminals hoping to exploit people’s excitement and hoodwink them out of their hard-earned cash. This #WakeUpWednesday has some expert pointers on keeping your both your money and your personal information safe while still making the most of the spectacular sales.

Grab our new guide below!National Online Safety

They might not be able to pinpoint its location on a map, and they might not fully grasp the historical and political drivers behind the conflict – but in this age where news, images and video can cross continents in seconds, many children are now aware of the terrible recent events in Israel. It’s a situation, of course, that could cause youngsters extreme distress and worry.

Our #WakeUpWednesday guide contains some valuable pointers for supporting children to deal with upsetting content they’ve encountered online – whether that’s the attacks in Israel, ongoing worries over the environment, or something else entirely. Our tips will assist trusted adults in helping young people to process any negative emotions that they may be feeling.

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In 2021, the NCA cited that 42% of parents in the UK share pictures of their children online – half of them doing so at least once a month 👶 Why would they not? Parenthood – and the magical memories we create with our children – is something to be celebrated and chronicled: in an ideal world, at least.

In reality, the topic has become increasingly complex – with respect for other people’s children who might also be in the photos and our own child’s future feelings among the considerations. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide assesses the potential pitfalls of publicly posting our pics.

Grab our new guide below!National Online Safety

With the school summer holidays only a matter of days away, many parents and carers will already be planning outings and activities to keep their young ones entertained. In between those special summer moments, though, there are also likely to be occasions when children happily invest a whole afternoon in Among Us or spend most of their Monday on Minecraft.

As young people’s screen time almost inevitably increases over the holidays, parents like to feel confident that their child will stay safe while they’re exploring the digital world. So we’ve produced a #WakeUpWednesday poster with some simple solutions to help children avoid frequent online pitfalls and enjoy a more positive experience when they go online this summer.

Read on to access your free guide…National Online Safety

In this modern age, we’re privileged to be able to experience art from other cultures at the press of a button. A popular example of this is the Japanese animation style known as anime – a creative, unique style that you might recognise from classic 90s animations such as Ghost in the Shell. With recent releases like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners dominating online discussion for months, anime is bigger now than ever.

Although anime appeals to all generations in the West, its largest demographic by far is that of children and young people. However, as our #WakeUpWednesday guide explores, this doesn’t mean that all anime is age-appropriate, and parents and carers are heartily encouraged to make themselves aware of the kind of content their children could be exposed to.

Read on to access your free guide…National Online Safety

Not only is an “influencer” an increasingly powerful role in the digital age, but it’s also become a desirable career goal for many young people – an enjoyable way to gain international fame and a gateway to financial success. A survey of Instagram influencers, for instance, found that those with over a million followers make an average of £12,000 (around $15,000) per month.

Much of this wealth, of course, is unlocked by entering into partnerships with various brands – which then raises all manner of questions about some influencers’ authenticity. Is their praise for certain products genuine, or simply because they’ve been paid for their endorsement? This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide peels back the filters for a closer look at influencers.

Read on to access your free guide…National Online Safety

Theoretically, digital technology and the online world should improve and simplify our lives – and, a lot of the time, they do. All too often, however, something we see or someone’s behaviour on the internet can cause distress or worry; especially for younger people, who may not yet have quite developed the resilience or emotional maturity to deal with such setbacks.

Indeed, some aspects of daily digital life can have a profoundly negative impact on how young people feel about themselves, their friendships and relationships, and the world in general. To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, today’s #WakeUpWednesday poster is a collection of quick but effective tips to help children prioritise their own wellbeing online.

Read on to access your free guide…National Online Safety