Is Your Child Safe Online? The 10-Point Risk Assessment Every Parent Should Complete
97% of 12–15 year-olds use social media — but how many parents know who their child is really talking to, what they're seeing, and whether the basics are in place? Work through this honest checklist and find out.
How to use this assessment
Answer each question honestly. Every "No" or "Not sure" is an action point — not a cause for guilt. The goal is to identify gaps so you can address them, not to judge your parenting. Set aside 15 minutes to do this properly.
The 10-Point Online Safety Assessment
Not just the obvious ones. TikTok, Discord, BeReal, Roblox, Snapchat, Twitch, gaming chat functions. Ask to see their phone together — frame it as curiosity, not surveillance.
On Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, accounts default to public. A private account restricts who can see content and send messages. Check this together and turn it on if not already set.
CEOP data shows that most online grooming begins via a follow or friend request from an unknown account — often presenting as a peer.[1]
Block, report, screenshot, tell a trusted adult. Have you actually talked through these steps? Does your child know they can come to you without being told off for what they saw?
Most UK broadband providers offer parental controls at the router level (Sky Broadband Shield, BT Parental Controls, Virgin Media Web Safe). These apply to all devices on your home network including games consoles.
Snapchat Map, Instagram's location tagging and Find My Friends features can reveal your child's location to anyone in their contacts list. Check each app's location settings.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health identifies late-night social media use as the most consistently harmful digital behaviour, due to its impact on sleep quality and mental health.[2]
Under UK law, sharing intimate images of a person under 18 is a criminal offence — even if that person sent the image willingly. Young people need to understand this before they reach an age where it becomes relevant.
Gaming environments are increasingly used for exploitation and financial grooming. Check spending limits, disable in-app purchases where possible, and review who your child is communicating with in online gaming lobbies.
This is the most important question of all. Children who fear parental anger are the least likely to disclose grooming, exploitation or distressing contact. Make this promise explicitly — and keep it.
Scoring and Next Steps
8–10 ✓
Strong foundations in place. Review annually and keep the conversation going.
5–7 ⚠
Some gaps. Prioritise the "No" answers and address them this week.
0–4 ✗
Significant exposure. Start with questions 4, 7 and 10 today.
Online Safety Support
Citations
[1] CEOP (2024). Threat Assessment of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse 2024. National Crime Agency / CEOP Command.
[2] Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (2023). The Health Impacts of Screen Time: A Guide for Clinicians and Parents. RCPCH.
[3] Ofcom (2023). Children and Parents Media Use and Attitudes Report 2023. Ofcom.
[4] Internet Watch Foundation (2024). Annual Report 2023. IWF.