The government has launched a new online tool, called Parent Info for schools across the country to give parents the best possible advice and tips on preparing their children for adult life.
Parent Info gives parents the information they need to help them navigate the minefield of issues children can now face on everything from spotting the warning signs of self-harm, to having a healthy body image and managing money in a digital world. As well as giving them the confidence and support to speak to their children on such sensitive issues, it will also provide them with pathways for where they can go for more hands on support on specific issues.
Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan said:
The internet is an incredibly powerful tool, which is changing the way our children learn and stay in touch. But we must also make sure we do everything we can to help them stay safe online.
Young people spend an average of 12 to 13 hours a week online and yet a survey by Ofcom has shown that 1 in 5 parents admit that they do not know enough about how they can help prepare their children for the risks of the online world.
We already know that:
- almost a quarter (23%) of girls between the ages of 9 and 16, say they’ve been upset about something that’s happened online
- girls are less likely to have a wide range of online safety skills
- among 9 to 12s, girls are less likely to say they can change privacy settings on social networks (25% of boys compared to 15% of girls), or block messages from someone they don’t want to hear from (30% of boys compared to 17% of girls)
To access Parent Info click here.