While many adults are experienced in internet usage and safety, educating the next generation of web-goers will be a key area of focus in the coming years. As children are increasingly taking to the internet, the risk of interacting with bad actors, encountering scams and cyberbullying is growing.

To help combat this, Google has announced the launch of Family Link in the UK; an app which helps parents set online guidelines for their children.

To coincide with the launch of Family Link, Google has also committed to reaching over one million children through its Be Internet Legends and Be Internet Citizens programmes – both aim to help young people aged from seven to fifteen years old navigate the online world in a safe, confident and responsible manner.

Barnardo’s Chief Executive, Javed Khan, said this announcement will enable families across the UK to become more aware of the dangers of internet use.

He said: “We know from our services how children can be vulnerable online and so welcome these practical tools for parents. We hope Family Link will encourage two-way conversations between parents and their children when deciding what apps and games to download, building children’s digital resilience over time.

Google Family Link

The app, which is available on Android devices and iPhone, connects the parent and child’s devices and enables the parent to set and tailor certain digital ground rules for their family. Through this, parents can see their child’s location, set device bedtimes, monitor screentime, manage the availability and usage of apps and also manage what children can download from the Google Play Store.

Commenting on the launch, Saurabh Sharma, product manager for Family Link said: “We believe deeply in technology’s ability to unlock creativity and engagement but we also work hard to ensure parents have the right tools to make the right choices for their children.

“With Family Link, parents and children can explore the digital world together, making it easier for them to discover, create and share as a family. And with our internet safety programmes, we aim to help children get the necessary skills to explore and have positive experiences online.”

Online Skills Advice

Be Internet Legends was created in partnership with family internet safety experts from Parent Zone, and uses online platforms, teaching resources, face-to-face workshops and free training resources to over 19,000 teachers in the UK.

Helping children to understand both the positives and negatives of life online is a key objective of the Be Internet Legends and Be Internet Citizens programmes. The former consists of five key pillars to help children learn the essentials of online safety, these include:

• Be Internet Sharp – Think Before You Share
• Be Internet Alert – Check it’s For Real
• Be Internet Secure – Protect Your Stuff
• Be Internet Kind – Respect Each Other
• Be Internet Brave – When in Doubt, Discuss

As part of the Internet Legends programme, Google also announced the launch of ‘Interland’ – an online game that the company says makes learning about internet safety “interactive and fun”. In this game, children can learn about how to pick up on certain tactics employed by bad actors online, such as phishing scams or even online bullying.

Margot James, Minister of State for Digital and the Creative Industries, said: “We want the UK to be the safest place in the world to be online. I’m pleased that Google is supporting the government’s work in this area by providing the tools and education to help parents, teachers, and children make the best decisions as they explore the online world together.”