Please see below the online safety newsletter for October as well as a summary of the themes covered. The newsletter focuses on helping parents/ carers manage their children’s digital habits, especially around YouTube, AI wellness apps, and screen time.
YouTube Safety Tips
- Age-appropriate access: Children under 13 can use YouTube Kids or supervised accounts with parental controls.
- Risks to watch for:
- Excessive screen time due to autoplay
- Unwanted contact or cyberbullying via comments
- Algorithmic influence that may expose children to repetitive or negative content
- Inappropriate adverts not tailored to children’s age
AI and Mental Health Apps
- Concerns:
- Advice from AI chatbots may be inaccurate
- Data privacy issues
- Children might rely on apps instead of seeking adult help
- Recommendations:
- Talk regularly with your child about their app usage
- Emphasise that AI is not a substitute for professional support
Managing Digital Spending & Screen Time
- New iOS 26 features: Includes updated content filters for child safety
- Support for ADHD: Bark offers guidance for parents to help children build healthy technological habits
- Financial literacy: Parent Zone provides tools to teach kids about managing online spending
If you need more support or guidance with online safety, please contact a staff member or send us an email : newdale.primary@taw.org.uk