As young people grow older, the way they use technology naturally changes. They begin spending more time online, communicating through private messages, joining gaming communities, using social media and exploring new apps. While this growing independence is an important part of adolescence, it also brings new opportunities and new online risks.

For parents and carers of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), these changes can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, keeping young people safe online isn’t about monitoring every activity or restricting access. Instead, it’s about building trust, encouraging open conversations and helping them develop the confidence to make safe choices online.

Some practical ways you can support your young person include:

• Talk regularly about the apps, games and websites they enjoy using.
• Encourage them to come to you if something online makes them feel worried, uncomfortable or confused.
• Discuss the importance of protecting personal information and recognising when someone online may not be who they claim to be.
• Help them identify common scams, phishing messages and fake accounts.
• Encourage them to think carefully before sharing photos, videos or personal details online.
• Review privacy settings together and help them understand who can see the information they share.
• Reassure them that asking for help is always the right thing to do and that they won’t get into trouble for speaking up.

As teenagers become more independent, they often value privacy and may move to platforms that adults are less familiar with. This makes open, judgement-free conversations even more important. When young people know they can talk honestly about their online experiences, they are far more likely to ask for support if something doesn’t feel right.

At Fir Tree College, we know that digital skills are an important part of preparing young people for adulthood. Alongside teaching practical online safety skills, we encourage learners to develop confidence, resilience and critical thinking so they can enjoy the benefits of the online world while recognising potential risks.

For more information and further advice, you can read the full article here:
https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/how-to-keep-teens-safe-online