Helping Your Child Navigate the Online World
Children and young people see an enormous amount of information online every day. News stories, videos, memes, advertisements and social media posts are all competing for their attention.
Much of this content is informative and entertaining, but not everything online is accurate, trustworthy or created with good intentions.
Helping Children Recognise Manipulation
Some online content is designed to create a strong emotional reaction because this increases the chances of people watching, commenting or sharing it.
Encourage your child to pause if something online makes them feel:
- angry
- frightened
- shocked
- upset
- under pressure to act immediately
These emotional reactions are sometimes used to encourage people to share content before checking whether it is true.
Helping children recognise these techniques can make them more confident, thoughtful and resilient when using the internet.
Helping your child develop critical thinking skills is one of the best ways to prepare them for life online.
What Are Algorithms?
Algorithms are computer programmes that decide what content people see online.
They look at things such as:
- what videos someone watches
- what they search for
- what they like or comment on
- who they follow
- what they share
The algorithm then recommends similar content.
This means two people using the same app may have completely different social media feeds.
Why Does This Matter?
Algorithms are designed to keep people using an app for as long as possible.
If your child watches several videos on the same topic, the platform is likely to recommend more similar content.
Over time, this can create the impression that:
- everyone agrees with a particular opinion
- certain behaviours are normal
- everyone is interested in the same topics
- information is true simply because it appears repeatedly
It is important for children to understand that their social media feed is personalised and does not represent everything that is happening in the world.
Fake News and Misinformation
Not everything shared online is true.
False information may be shared because someone:
- genuinely believes it is true
- wants more views or followers
- wants to influence people’s opinions
- wants to make money
- wants to cause confusion or upset
Teaching children to pause and question information before believing or sharing it is an important life skill.
Helping Your Child Think Critically
Encourage your child to ask questions such as:
- Who created this?
- Can I trust the source?
- Is there any evidence to support this?
- Has another reliable source reported the same information?
- Could this have been edited or created using AI?
- Am I being encouraged to react before I think?
It is perfectly acceptable to say:
“I’m not sure if this is true yet.”
Influencers and Online Trends
Many influencers create enjoyable, educational and inspiring content.
However, it is important for children to understand that:
- influencers may be paid to promote products
- many photos and videos are carefully edited
- online popularity does not always mean someone is an expert
- some creators deliberately post controversial content to gain attention
Encourage your child to think about why someone has posted something, not just what they have posted.
Deepfakes and Edited Content
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can now create convincing photos, videos and audio recordings that appear genuine.
These are often called deepfakes.
Deepfakes can be used:
- for entertainment
- to spread false information
- to impersonate someone
- to damage someone’s reputation
- as part of online scams
Talk to your child about checking information before believing or sharing it.
Helping Your Child Manage Their Online Feed
Children have more control over their online experience than they often realise.
Most platforms allow users to:
- unfollow accounts
- mute people
- hide unwanted content
- select “Not Interested”
- block accounts
- report harmful content
Encourage your child to use these tools if content is upsetting, misleading or making them feel uncomfortable.
Talking About Difficult Content
Children may come across content about:
- conflict and war
- violence
- discrimination
- conspiracy theories
- harmful challenges
- extremist views
- unhealthy lifestyles
If your child brings something to you that they have seen online, try to explore it together rather than immediately dismissing it.
Ask questions such as:
- What made you interested in this?
- Where did you see it?
- What do you think about it?
- Shall we find out more together?
This helps develop critical thinking and encourages children to continue talking to you about what they see online.
Remember
Children do not need to believe everything they see online.
By encouraging curiosity, asking questions and discussing information together, you can help your child become a thoughtful, critical and responsible digital citizen.
Useful external links
Internet Matters – Fake News & Misinformation Advice Hub
Practical advice to help parents understand misinformation, algorithms, echo chambers and critical thinking, with tips for discussing these issues with children.
https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/fake-news-and-misinformation-advice-hub/
UK Safer Internet Centre – Misinformation
Guidance for parents on recognising misinformation, supporting critical thinking and helping children question what they see online.
https://saferinternet.org.uk/online-issue/misinformation
Childnet – Parents and Carers
Advice on supporting children with online safety, critical thinking and responsible digital behaviour.
https://www.childnet.com/help-and-advice/parents-and-carers/
Ofcom – Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report
Research into how children and young people in the UK use the internet, social media and digital technology.
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/media-literacy-research/childrens
Internet Matters – Helping Children Spot Fake News and Misinformation
Age-based advice, conversation starters and the PAUSE method for checking online information.
https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/tackling-fake-news-misinformation-advice-for-parents/