Your Child's Digital Safety Audit: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents (2026)
A practical, platform-by-platform walkthrough to help parents review their child's online environment, check privacy settings, identify risks, and take action — in under an hour.
A digital safety audit is simply a structured review of your child's online environment — what they have access to, who can see their content, what protections are in place, and whether anything looks concerning. Done annually, or whenever a child gets a new device or account, it takes under an hour and can make a significant difference to safety.
This guide does not assume your child has done anything wrong. It is a maintenance exercise — the digital equivalent of checking the smoke alarm. Carry it out with your child where possible and where age-appropriate; doing it together builds trust, not suspicion.
Step 1: Inventory — What Are They Using?
Start by listing every device and every platform. Many parents are surprised. Check:
- All apps installed on every device — including old tablets, games consoles and smart TVs
- Any accounts they have on social platforms — including secondary or "finstas" (secondary Instagram accounts)
- Gaming platforms: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Roblox, Steam, Discord
- Communication apps: WhatsApp, Snapchat, Telegram, Signal, BeReal
- AI tools: ChatGPT, Snapchat My AI, TikTok AI features, image generators
Step 2: Platform-by-Platform Privacy Check
| Platform | Where to Find Settings | Key Things to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Profile → ☰ → Settings → Privacy | Account set to Private; Messages from unknown accounts blocked; Location off | |
| TikTok | Profile → ☰ → Settings → Privacy | Account Private; DMs restricted; Suggest account to others: Off; Duet/Stitch: Friends only |
| Snapchat | Profile → ⚙️ → Privacy Controls | Who can contact me: Friends only; My location: Ghost Mode ON; Story: Friends only |
| Discord | User Settings → Privacy & Safety | Allow DMs from server members: Off; Safe Messaging Filter: On; No unknown friend requests |
| Roblox | Account Settings → Privacy | Who can chat with me: Friends; Who can message me: Friends; Account restrictions: On for under 13 |
| Settings → Privacy | Profile photo: My Contacts; Last seen: My Contacts; Groups: My Contacts only | |
| YouTube | Account → Settings → Privacy | Consider YouTube Kids for under 13s; Restricted Mode: On; No public playlist/watch history |
Step 3: Device-Level Parental Controls
- iPhone / iPad: Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions. Set a passcode different from the device passcode. Enable App Store purchase restrictions and Web Content filters (Limit Adult Websites).
- Android: Settings → Digital Wellbeing → Parental Controls, or use Google Family Link for under-13s. Set content filters on the Play Store.
- Windows: Microsoft Family Safety app — set content filters, screen time limits, spending limits and location sharing.
- Router-level filtering: Most modern routers (BT, Sky, Virgin, etc.) have built-in parental controls accessible via the provider app — these filter all devices on your Wi-Fi network and are harder to circumvent than app-level controls.
Step 4: Red Flags Checklist
During the audit, look out for:
Immediate Concerns
- • Apps you don't recognise that have been deleted (search "recently deleted")
- • Multiple accounts on the same platform
- • Contacts your child cannot identify by real name
- • Conversations that have been deleted
- • Any account linked to an age they have not admitted to
Worth a Conversation
- • A public profile when settings should be private
- • Followers or friends they have never met in person
- • Use of VPNs (can bypass parental controls)
- • Accounts on platforms below the age of use (under 13 on Instagram)
- • In-app purchases or subscription charges you didn't authorise
Step 5: The Conversation After the Audit
The audit is a starting point for dialogue, not an interrogation. After completing it, sit with your child and talk through what you found — calmly and without accusation. Acknowledge what they are doing well, address concerns directly but kindly, and agree any changes together. A child who feels involved in their own safety is more likely to come to you with concerns in the future.
Useful Resources
Sources: Ofcom (2024). Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report 2024. ofcom.org.uk. | NSPCC (2024). Net Aware: Guide to Social Networks, Apps and Games. net-aware.org.uk. | UK Safer Internet Centre (2024). Safer Internet Day 2024 Research. saferinternet.org.uk. | ICO (2023). Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code). ico.org.uk. | Internet Matters (2024). Parental Controls and Online Safety Guides. internetmatters.org. | DfE (2024). Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024. gov.uk. Last reviewed: April 2026.