How do I explain danger without making my child anxious?

Focus on empowerment rather than fear. Instead of describing what could go wrong in detail, teach them to trust their instincts — 'if something feels wrong, it probably is'. Give them clear action steps (leave, find a trusted adult, tell someone) so they feel capable rather than helpless.

Should I use real-life examples?

Age-appropriate examples can be helpful, but avoid graphic or distressing detail. For younger children, use hypothetical scenarios or stories. For older children, you might reference news stories they are already aware of, focusing on the response rather than the incident itself.

Safe and Unsafe Situations: Helping Children Recognise Danger

A conversation script to help children identify the difference between safe and unsafe situations, both online and in the real world.

Children need to develop their own sense of when something is not right. This conversation helps them build that internal alarm — the gut feeling that tells them a situation is unsafe. It covers both real-world and online scenarios, giving your child practical tools for recognising and responding to danger.

When to have this conversation

As soon as your child is old enough to go to the park, walk to school, or spend time without you — and revisit as their world expands.

Before you start

• Think of simple, relatable scenarios you can use as examples — for instance, a stranger offering a lift home.
• Be ready to role-play: children learn best by practising rather than just listening.
• Keep the conversation focused on what to do, not on all the terrible things that could happen.

Conversation by age group

Ages 5-7

"Let's play a game. I am going to describe some situations, and you tell me if they feel safe or unsafe."

parent

"Okay, first one: you are at the park and a grown-up you do not know asks you to help them find their lost puppy. Safe or unsafe?"

child

"Unsafe?"

parent

"Well done! Grown-ups should not be asking children for help like that. If that happened, you would say 'No thank you' and go straight to a grown-up you trust."

parent

"Here is another one: your teacher asks you to stay behind to help tidy the classroom. Safe or unsafe?"

Use a mix of safe and unsafe examples so they practise identifying both.

Tips for this age

• Make it a game — children this age learn best through play and repetition.
• Praise them for correct answers and gently explain when they get one wrong.

Ages 8-10

"I want to talk about how to spot when a situation might not be safe — both in real life and online."

parent

"You know that funny feeling in your tummy when something does not feel right? That is your body's alarm system. I want you to always listen to it."

child

"Like when someone at school dared me to do something and I felt nervous?"

parent

"Exactly like that. If something feels wrong — whether it is a dare, someone being too pushy, or a weird message online — trust that feeling and get yourself out of the situation."

parent

"The three steps are: notice the feeling, get away from the situation, and tell a trusted adult. Can you repeat those back to me?"

Tips for this age

• Connect the concept to both online and offline situations so they see the overlap.
• Ask them to think of their own examples to check they understand the principle.

Follow-up actions

→ Revisit the safe/unsafe game regularly, introducing more complex scenarios as your child matures.
→ Practise role-playing different situations so your child builds confidence in responding.