What Parents Need to Know about Making Friends Online

Making friends online can open doors to exciting new experiences 🌍💬 - but it can also expose children to serious risks 🚩😟 Around 19% of children aged 10 to 15 in England and Wales have chatted online with someone they’ve never met face to face. National College's latest #WakeUpWednesday guide explores how young people form connections online and what trusted adults should know. 

With expert advice on encouraging safer habits 🔐, spotting red flags 🚨 and keeping communication open 🗣️, this week’s free guide offers valuable guidance for parents and educators alike. It’s all about helping children navigate online friendships safely, confidently — and most importantly, happily 💛🙂

This free guide looks at the challenges of children forming friendships online, highlighting key risks such as grooming, privacy concerns and inappropriate content — and offers tips for staying safe.
 
As technology becomes increasingly embedded in young people’s lives, it’s common for them to form friendships entirely online. These connections can provide companionship and community — but they also bring potential dangers that parents and educators need to be aware of. 

From online grooming and privacy breaches to exposure to upsetting content, meeting people on the internet isn’t without risk. This guide explains the possible hazards of online friendships and gives parents and educators essential advice on helping children build safe, positive relationships online.