Keep your children safe — online and offline
The UK's comprehensive child safety resource. Practical guidance for parents, carers, schools, and communities. Clear steps, real advice, no jargon.
Need help right now?
Calm, step-by-step guidance for urgent child safety situations.
Start here
Choose the description that fits you best. We'll take you to the most relevant resources.
Parent or carer
Practical guidance for everyday parenting decisions, devices, and conversations.
Take me thereGrandparent or kinship carer
Looking after grandchildren or kinship children with confidence.
Take me thereTeacher or DSL
School-facing resources, KCSIE alignment, lesson plans, and assemblies.
Take me thereSports club or youth group
Safeguarding kits, photography policies, and audit tools for organisations.
Take me thereTeenager
Practical, calm guidance written for teens about online life and getting help.
Take me thereNeed urgent help
Step-by-step triage tool. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 now.
Take me thereNeed to report a concern
UK reporting pathways — CEOP, NSPCC, IWF, police, schools, and local authorities.
Take me thereFoster or adoptive carer
Trauma-informed digital safety for children with care experience.
Take me there81
Safety Topics
104
App & Device Guides
40
Free Downloads
32
Audience Guides
57
Emergency & Reporting
76
Glossary Terms
Choose your path
We have guidance tailored to your role. Select who you are to find the most relevant resources.
Common concerns
These are the topics parents and carers ask about most. Each guide includes practical steps you can take today.
Safety guidance by age
Every age brings different risks and different conversations. Find what matters for your child's stage.
Quick start for your child's age
Select an age to see the most important actions right now.
Select your child's age above to see personalised quick-start guidance.
Why trust this resource?
Safe Child Guide is a free public resource built to help families and professionals take practical, informed action.
Evidence-informed
Our guidance draws on published research, official recommendations, and established safeguarding frameworks.
Editorially responsible
Content is written in a calm, practical tone. We avoid sensationalism and fear-based messaging.
Transparent methodology
We explain how we research, write, and review content. Our editorial standards are public.
Regularly reviewed
Child safety evolves quickly. We review and update content to reflect current risks and guidance.
Protect your whole home network
Device controls and app settings are important — but network-level protection adds another layer. Learn how to set up Wi-Fi safety, content filtering, and DNS controls for your entire home.
Explore network controlsInteractive tools
Practical tools to help you take action right now.
Emergency Decision Flowchart
Triage tool to help you decide what to do when something goes wrong online.
Try itReporting Route Finder
Answer a few questions to find the right UK reporting route — CEOP, NSPCC, police, or platform.
Try itFamily Safety Quiz
10-question quiz to assess your family's online safety and get personalised recommendations.
Try itSafety Plan Generator
Create a personalised safety checklist based on your child's age and your concerns.
Try itApp Comparison Tool
Compare the safety features of two apps side by side before your child downloads them.
Try itDevice Setup Wizard
Step-by-step guide to setting up parental controls on any device in your home.
Try itReporting Guide
How to report concerns on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube, and more.
Try itResources for young people
Age-appropriate safety guidance written directly for children and teenagers — not just for the adults around them.
Free checklists & downloads
Practical, printable resources you can use today. All completely free.
Free safeguarding resources for your school
Policy templates, workshop packs, assembly ideas, and staff training materials — all free and ready to use.
Additional safety hubs
Online Safety Act — what it means for your family
What platforms must now do for children, how to complain, age-assurance, and Ofcom's Children's Codes — explained without jargon.
Read the OSA hubOnline safety for SEND children
Practical, respectful guidance for autistic children, ADHD, learning disabilities, sensory needs — including printable visual safety rules.
SEND online safetyComplete guides
In-depth resources bringing together everything you need on key topics.
The Complete Guide to Child Online Safety
A comprehensive overview of every major online risk children face today, covering devices, apps, privacy, social media, and practical steps every parent can take.
Read guideKeeping Children Safe in Public Places
Practical guidance on keeping children safe in public spaces including shops, parks, events, and while travelling, with advice on stranger awareness and road safety.
Read guideThe Family Child Safety Checklist
A comprehensive family safety audit covering online, physical, and emotional safety — use this checklist to identify gaps and strengthen your family's overall protection.
Read guideThe Complete Guide to Giving a Child Their First Smartphone
Everything you need to know before giving your child their first phone — from choosing the right device and setting it up safely to establishing clear family rules.
Read guideLatest research & alerts
Evidence-led updates on emerging child safety risks.
The Rise of Sextortion Targeting Teenagers: What Parents Need to Know
An urgent alert for parents about the growing trend of sextortion targeting teenage boys, with practical advice on prevention and response.
AI Chatbots and Children: Understanding the Emerging Risks
A research-based explainer on the risks AI chatbots and conversational AI tools pose to children, and what families can do to stay safe.
Screen Time: What the Research Really Says
A balanced, evidence-based look at the screen time debate, separating genuine concerns from moral panic.
Stay informed
Get practical child safety updates, new guides, and alerts delivered to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
We respect your privacy. See our privacy policy.