Important information to send home to Year 6 Parents! 

Summer holidays are fast approaching, and we know there can be a lot to think about to get your child ready for secondary school. The move opens a world of opportunities, with new friends and independence, and most likely - a new smartphone.

We're sharing our brand-new advice hub to help parents, carers and teachers of Year 6 children understand the benefits and risks of being online and keep them safe from harm.

Explore tools such as parental controls and conversation guides, a digital family agreement and tips from real parents and their children.

Use step-by-step guides to set your child's device up for safe online experiences with parental controls and privacy settings. There are guides for all the apps, platforms, devices and sites your child may use – as well as your home broadband. 

Viral online challenges on social media platforms attract many children and teens - most are harmless, but some can be dangerous. Internet Matters has teamed up with mums Hollie Dance and Lisa Kenevan, whose sons sadly lost their lives after they were believed to have taken part in dangerous online challenges, to help parents and teachers understand the risks.

Visit the Be Challenge Aware advice hub, where you’ll find advice to support your children to keep safe from dangerous online challenges.

Learn how to recognise and stop online hate with this quiz. Play on your own or with your child and put your knowledge to the test.

The interactive format encourages discussions and reflection, to give your children the skills to challenge negative behaviour online.

The moving to secondary school guide covers online activities, balancing screen time and online issues children may face.

Grow your knowledge as your child grows too. A guide for parents with children aged 11-13, filled with tips, a checklist and advice on how to deal with problems that  your child may encounter. 

We hope you find this information useful and wish you and your child all the best at this exciting time! Internet Matters offers a wide range of other online safety advice for parents and carers, visit our website to find out more.

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Rachel Huggins  
Co-CEO, Internet Matters