How do I keep my child safe online?
Online risks can include insults and bullying, unwanted contacts and inappropriate content. Children need to know that you and other adults will help if something happens. If your child has been exposed to something, stay calm, do not take away or threaten to take away their phone or computer, explain that it is not their fault and help them block and report (Public Health Agency of Sweden).
What can I do before anything happens?
- Follow age limits and keep an eye on the content your child uses.
- Talk regularly about what happens online, not only when something has gone wrong.
- Wait with a smartphone until the year your child turns 13.
- Teach your child never to share passwords, and turn on two-factor authentication where possible. Hijacked accounts can be used for fraud and bullying.
- Talk about permission: you need consent to share other people's photos and videos, and your own photos can be reused by others.
What should I do if something has happened?
- Stay calm. Strong reactions can stop your child from telling you more.
- Do not remove or threaten to remove the device. That makes children less likely to tell you next time.
- Explain that it is not your child's fault, and help them block, report and save evidence if needed.
- Contact the police if a crime may have been committed. In an emergency, call 112.
Try this week
- Ask your child to show you their favourite app or game this week.
- Check the privacy settings on your child's accounts together.
- Agree a simple rule: "If anything online feels wrong, you can always tell me and you will not lose your phone."
When to get help
In Sweden: children and young people under 18 can call or text Bris on 116 111 or chat at bris.se at any time, and adults can call the Bris support line for adults on 077-150 50 50. Ditt Ecpat (020-112 100) supports children and young people with questions about nude images, sexual harassment, threats and abuse. Outside Sweden, contact your local police or child helpline. In an emergency, call 112 or your local emergency number.