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 โ โฐ โ Settings โ Privacy | Account set to Private; Messages from unknown accounts blocked; Location off | |
| TikTok | Profile โ โฐ โ Settings โ Privacy | Account Private; DMs restricted; Suggest account to others: Off; Duet/Stitch: Friends only |
| Snapchat | Profile โ โ๏ธ โ Privacy Controls | Who can contact me: Friends only; My location: Ghost Mode ON; Story: Friends only |
| Discord | User Settings โ Privacy & Safety | Allow DMs from server members: Off; Safe Messaging Filter: On; No unknown friend requests |
| Roblox | Account Settings โ Privacy | Who can chat with me: Friends; Who can message me: Friends; Account restrictions: On for under 13 |
| Settings โ Privacy | Profile photo: My Contacts; Last seen: My Contacts; Groups: My Contacts only | |
| YouTube | Account โ Settings โ Privacy | Consider YouTube Kids for under 13s; Restricted Mode: On; No public playlist/watch history |
Step 3: Device-Level Parental Controls
- iPhone / iPad: Settings โ Screen Time โ 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 โ Digital Wellbeing โ Parental Controls, or use Google Family Link for under-13s. Set content filters on the Play Store.
- Windows: Microsoft Family Safety app sets 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
- โข Apps you don't recognise that have been deleted (search "recently deleted")
- โข Multiple accounts on the same platform
- โข Contacts your child cannot identify by real name
- โข Conversations that have been deleted
- โข Any account linked to an age they have not admitted to
Worth a Conversation
- โข A public profile when settings should be private
- โข Followers or friends they have never met in person
- โข Use of VPNs (can bypass parental controls)
- โข Accounts on platforms below the age of use (under 13 on Instagram)
- โข 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 (2026). Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026. gov.uk. Last reviewed: April 2026.