Online safety for kids isn't one problem - it's eighteen different problems, each needing different conversations. Work through it at your own pace, one chapter a week, or jump to what matters most for your child right now.
01
How to Use This Course
01
Read one chapter per week
Each chapter takes 15–20 minutes. One a week keeps you from getting overwhelmed. In 18 weeks, you'll have covered everything.
02
Complete the checklist before moving on
Every chapter ends with a checklist. Don't skip ahead until you've done the stuff, not just read it. These aren't knowledge tests - they're actual changes you need to make.
03
Use the conversation starters
Many chapters have 'Say this / Not this' guides. They're not scripts - just starting points. Rework them to fit your kid's age and how you actually talk in your family.
04
Involve your child where appropriate
Chapters 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 17 work well read together (age 10+). Safety isn't something you do to your kid - it's something you build together.
02
Which Chapters to Prioritise by Age
| Child's Age |
Priority Chapters |
Why These First |
| 5 – 8 |
Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4, Ch6 |
Landscape awareness, parental controls, screen time, and IoT devices are the core risks at this age |
| 9 – 12 |
Ch5, Ch6, Ch7, Ch9, Ch10, Ch17 |
Privacy, smart devices, gaming, gaming spending, and early digital literacy become critical |
| 11 – 13 |
Ch7, Ch8, Ch9, Ch11, Ch12, Ch13 |
Social media and gaming access begins; grooming, cyberbullying, and sexting risks emerge |
| 14 – 16 |
Ch14, Ch15, Ch16, Ch17, Ch18 |
Dating apps, mental health, AI threats, and misinformation become highly relevant |
| 16 – 18 |
Ch13, Ch14, Ch15, Ch16, Ch17, Ch18 |
All risk areas apply at full intensity; Family Digital Agreement review is also valuable |
You don't need to be tech-savvy for this course.
Every chapter works for someone who isn't techy. Where you need to adjust settings, I'll give you the exact steps. Confused? Google '[platform name] + [setting name]' and you'll find a walkthrough video in seconds. You don't need to understand the tech - just make the changes.
Plus two bonus resources
Beyond the 18 chapters, you get an Emergency Reference Card - one printable page of what to do when things go wrong - and a Glossary of slang and terms your kid might use. Both are in the same folder.