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Safer Internet Day: how to talk about life online at home

Safer Internet Day is on Tuesday 9 February 2027. Most children have a phone by the time they start secondary school. Here is how to keep talking about what they do online.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 31 Oct 2026 5 min read

Key takeaways

1. Why this week

Safer Internet Day 2027 is on Tuesday 9 February, with events running through February. Schools across the UK use it to talk about life online, so it is a good week to carry the conversation on at home.[5]

Many families gave a first phone or tablet at Christmas. A few weeks in is the right moment to check how it is going, before habits set.

2. What the numbers say

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, found in its 2026 report that phone ownership rises sharply at the move to secondary school: from 56% of 10-year-olds to 83% of 11-year-olds. By 16 and 17, nearly all (98%) have one.[1]

Most social media apps set a minimum age of 13, but only about a third of parents (32%) know that. You can say yes to a phone and not yet to some apps.[1]

Age
Own a mobile phone (Ofcom, 2026)
10
56%
11
83%
16 to 17
98%

3. Four questions to keep talking

The UK Safer Internet Centre says the most important thing is to talk about online life regularly, not just once. These questions come from its advice for parents.[2]

“What do you enjoy doing online?”

Start with the good stuff: the games, videos and people they like. It shows you are interested, not checking up.

“How do you stay safe?”

Ask what tips they already know and where they learnt them. Talk about what is fine to share and what is not.

“Do you know how to report and block?”

Check together that they can change privacy settings and report or block someone on the apps they use.

“Can you show me?”

Go online together. Ask them to teach you something. For younger children, set up parental controls and safety settings together.

The most important message: Make sure your child knows they can come to you about anything upsetting online, and that you will stay calm, listen and help.

4. If something goes wrong

Stay calm and thank them for telling you. Then use the app’s report and block tools together. The UK Safer Internet Centre also lists specialist services for reporting harmful images.[3]

If you are worried about your child’s safety, talk to their school, or call the NSPCC helpline for advice. Children can call Childline free on 0800 1111.[4]

Keep talking, and stay calm.

Screens getting in the way of schoolwork?: Our teachers can help your child build a steady study routine, online or in person. Book a free call.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. When is Safer Internet Day 2027?

  2. 2. What share of 11-year-olds own a phone, according to Ofcom?

  3. 3. What minimum age do most social media apps set?

Your next steps

  • Ask your child what they enjoy most online this week.
  • Check together that they know how to report and block.
  • Agree one family rule, such as phones out of bedrooms at night.

Sources

  1. Ofcom (21 May 2026). Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report. ofcom.org.uk/media-use-and-attitudes/media-habits-children/childrens
  2. UK Safer Internet Centre. Have a conversation: advice for parents and carers. saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/have-conversation
  3. UK Safer Internet Centre. Safer Internet Day 2026: top tips for parents and carers. saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2026/top-tips-for-parents-and-carers
  4. NSPCC. Online safety: advice for parents, including parental controls and family agreements. nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety
  5. Better Internet for Kids (European Commission). Safer Internet Day 2027. better-internet-for-kids.europa.eu/en/events/safer-internet-day-sid-2027

This guide is general study advice. Every student is different. A teacher can help you work out what fits.