Online Safety in the Early Years
Ofcom's research has told us that 84% of 3-4 year olds go online, with 25% owning their own smartphone and 51% going on social media. With digital media use becoming increasingly normal in the early years, it is crucial that parents, early years educators and teachers are all informed and proactive about ensuring children's safety and wellbeing when using devices.
Early Years Professionals and Teachers
Policy Guide for Online Safeguarding & Digital Media Use
Use this policy guide to help you reflect on your use of digital media and online safeguarding in your setting.
NEW ** Online Safety Audit for Early Years
Download this audit to assess online safeguarding in your early years setting. For school-based settings, please visit onlinesafetyaudit.lgfl.net for our school-based audit
Online Safety Resources
A huge bank of resources for curriculum delivery, policy development and much more. Use the advanced filter to search by 'EYFS'
Understanding Screentime
Not all screentime is equal. Find out about different types of digital media use and how educators can maximise the positive impact on children of using technology
Digital Childhood – Updated Report
This report illustrates how growing up in the digital environment directly impacts a child’s developmental trajectory. It explores what we know about child development at and the major digital interactions and impact on children at that age.
Media Use by Kids 0-8 Years
Take a look at the 2025 Common Sense Census: Media Use by Kids 0-8 yrs
Resources from Young Children in a Digital Society
A suite of practical resources for parents and educators interested in helping children live well and safely with digital technologies.
Toddlers & Technology
A summary sheet from the USA about key risks and how to improve safety of young children using technology
eSafety Early Years program for educators
Lots of great resources on online safety in the early years from Australia.
Parents
Parentsafe
Direct parents to this dedicated website developed for them to access information about safeguarding, including security controls and much more
Resources for educators to use to help parents
We have collated some of the best FREE resources available for educators to use to support parents with their online safeguarding at home.
Ready to use presentation to use with parents
Take a look at and amend this slide deck to deliver a helpful session to parents about online safeguarding. The slides contain specific info about early years device use.
