NAHT asks parents to be mindful of giving electronic devices for Christmas

Union NAHT has suggested five steps for families considering an internet-enabled gift, so that they are as ‘switched on’ as possible when they talk to their children:

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT said: “We know that the internet is a powerful tool for learning, and that shiny new devices will be popular gifts this Christmas, but we also need to be mindful of the risks.

“We would never suggest that parents completely avoid buying smartphones, tablets or games consoles but we would urge them to think carefully about the right gift for their child and to talk to them about what boundaries and permissions will be set.”

NAHT recommends that parents and children have open and constructive conversations about the use of technology.

The NAHT has suggested five essential steps for families considering an internet-enabled gift, so that they are as ‘switched on’ as possible when they talk to their children:

Make sure your children feel confident they can come to you if they need help or are unsure about anything that happens online.
    
Have open and open regular conversations with your children about technology and their use of it. Agree a set of family rules, including around screen time.
    
Check the capabilities of the devices your child uses including toys. Does it have internet access? Can it be used to communicate with others?
    
Be aware of and follow the age requirements of many social media apps and services, as well as games.
    
Help your child get started. Find out what safety tools or parental controls are available, and how they work and set them up as appropriate. For younger children, supervise their use.

These guidelines have been drafted in cooperation with Childnet International, a non-profit organisation working with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.

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