On the first day of Clickmas, my child said to me,
“Can I have that new device, app or game?”
Parental settings are really important for everyone to understand, it's useful to know what controls you can have and how you can keep the whole family safe online
First look at what settings you can put in place on your home Wi-Fi, then on your devices and then on the games and apps your children use
Many platforms allow you to set limits and restrictions, explore these tools together so your children see this as a shared responsibility, not just a set of rules
This three-step approach will filter out most of the harmful content while you continue to monitor the content they are accessing
Learn more: www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/
On the second day of Clickmas, our house agreed to be, “Device free at mealtimes!”
It’s all about balance, not necessarily bans and we’ll all agree that sometimes we spent too long on devices and not enough time connecting with each other
As a family try to agree on device free times such as mealtimes, when watching a movie, or when settling down for bed
Set clear and consistent boundaries in relation to time on devices with a healthy mix of activities so screen become just one part of a balanced day rather than the main focus
And remember this is for the adults too, we need to role model expectations so devices off for everyone!
Learn more: www.childnet.com/blog/screen-time-guidance-for-parents-and-carers/
On the third day of Clickmas,
my child said to me,
“Ask before sharing, please!”
We’ve probably all shared too much online, including photos of our children on social media; and we don’t always ask their permission!
Let’s remind our children that once shared, control is lost and it’s hard to take it back
It’s a good time to discuss consent and online reputation
Before sharing, its worth asking; “Does this photo reveal too much about where we live, our routines”…“Would my child be comfortable with this image when they are older?”
Taking a few moments to talk about this can go a long way in protecting your family’s data and images
Learn more: www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/articles/Sharing-pictures-and-videos-of-your-child-online/
On the fourth day of Clickmas, my gamer said to me, “Let’s play safe games online!”
We all love to play games, but if we’re playing online games, we need to check what it’s all about and who it’s suitable for
The best way to do that is to have a chat and play the game together to understand the content; the potential for risk and to check it doesn’t include any gambling/loot boxes
Ensure the parental settings are in place, look at who they can interact with, and help them recognise what to do if they are exposed to upsetting content
If we show an interest in their gaming world, they’re far more likely to come to you if someone worries them
Learn more: www.askaboutgames.com
On the fifth day of Clickmas, our passwords sang to me, “Keep data safe!”
Think of your passwords and data like the keys to your house, you wouldn’t hand them out to strangers or use the same one for every door…
Encourage your children to mix it up with strong, unique passwords and turn on two-step verification where you can - it’s one of the simplest ways to keep your data locked up safe and sound
Remind your child to not share personal details like names and birthdays online, to check privacy settings regularly and do not click on unknown links. Most importantly keep talking about online safety so they know to ask for help if something doesn’t feel right
Learn more: www.twinkl.co.uk/blog/keeping-your-child-safe-passwords-and-protection
On the sixth day of Clickmas, my teen reminded me, “Be kind online!”
Remind your child that kindness matters just as much online as it does face to face�A kind comment, a positive message, or simply choosing not to join in negativity can make a real difference - words shared online can have a lasting impact
Encourage your child to pause before they post and to think about how their message might be received, behind every screen is a real person with feelings
By lifting others up, showing empathy and refusing to engage in online drama or unkind behaviour, we can help create a safer, happier digital space for everyone
Learn more: www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/social-media/
On the seventh day of Clickmas, my child showed me, “Here’s how to report!”
If your child comes cross something online that makes them feel upset, worried, or unsafe, its really important they know it’s ok to speak up - encourage them to tell a trusted adult right away
Most apps, games and social media have built-in tools to block, mute or report harmful content or users. Spend a few minutes exploring these features together so they know how to use them
Remind your child that reporting helps protect not just them, but they’re helping to make the internet a kinder more positive place for themselves and others
Learn more: www.reportharmfulcontent.com
On the eighth day of Clickmas, our scrolls revealed to me, “Spot fake news and trickery!”
It’s an important message for children to understand, that not everything we read, watch or hear online is true
Encourage your child to pause and to think, “Who posted this? Can I trust this source?” or could this be misinformation?
Explain that what they see is often influenced by advertisers, algorithms and online influencers often without us realising
By encouraging our children to think critically about what they see online, we’re helping them build strong digital skills which will stay with them for life
Learn more: www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zmvdd6f
On the ninth day of Clickmas, we all agreed to follow,
“Our digital footprints!”
Every click, post, or comment online leaves a trace known as a digital footprint
Children often don’t realise that their digital activity can be saved, shared, or seen years later
Encourage your child to pause and think before they post, share or comment and to regularly review their data, photos and old accounts
Remind them that universities, employers, and even friends may look at what’s online and form
opinions based on what they see
By helping your child understand the impact of their digital footprint, you’re supporting them to build a positive and responsible presence that they can be proud of
Learn more: www.saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers
On the tenth day of Clickmas, my child explained to me, “These are my friends online!”
Online friendships can be a positive part of your child’s digital life, they can connect with others who share their interests, hobbies and games. However, it’s important for children to understand that not everyone online is always who they say they are
Encourage your child to chat only with people they know in real life and to tell you if someone new messages them privately
Remind them that it’s always ok to block or ignore messages that make them feel uncomfortable�Keeping that conversation open helps them enjoy the digital world safely and confidently
Learn more: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
On the eleventh day of Clickmas, my wallet said to me, “Avoid surprise bills!”
With so many games, apps, and gadgets available, it’s easy for small clicks to add up quickly! Take a few minutes to review in-app purchases and payment settings on your child’s devices. Turning off one-click buying, setting spending limits, or using parental controls can all help prevent unexpected costs
It’s also a great opportunity to talk with your child about the real value of money online, how virtual coins or game upgrades still cost real money. A quick conversation now can help them build good habits and save you both from any unwanted surprises later!
Learn more: www.parentzone.org.uk/article/managing-digital-spending-guide-parents
On the twelfth day of Clickmas, our family said to me,
“Be smart with your AI and let's use it thoughtfully!”
Artificial Intelligence is now part of everyday life from chatbots to smart speakers to suggestions of what we see online. It can make things quicker, easier, and even more fun but it’s also important that children understand how to use AI safely, ethically, and responsibly
This Clickmas, take some time to explore AI tools together. Talk about how they work, where the information comes from, and why it’s important to think critically about the answers or content they provide. AI can be an amazing tool but remind your child that the best kind of intelligence is still human. Curiosity, kindness, and good judgment are things no algorithm can replace!
Learn more: www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2025/artificial-intelligence-safety-tips-for-parents/