Case study: Andrew

A ‘little and often’ approach to open conversations about online privacy

Andrew lives with his wife and their seven and 10-year-old boys near Glasgow. He and his wife, a primary school teacher, share parental responsibilities and have an open approach when educating their cautious children, rather than enforcing strict rules.  
 
Andrew focuses on having ongoing conversations on online privacy, often sparked informally by things the children see or hear at school or on Newsround. He believes that helping children understand why certain boundaries exist is more effective than simply saying no. 
 
Over time, Andrew has taken advantage of several safeguarding methods available to all parents such as using parental controls on devices, allowing the boys kids accounts rather than adult ones for video sites, and granting access to age appropriate games.  
 
While they’re not overregulated when it comes to tech, both boys don’t have a phone just yet, but they do have access to the internet through a tablet and one has an Alexa in his room. His sons like to play games online - with their friends and cousins - but they don’t have headsets yet and the chat functions have been disabled.  
 
Andrew feels there’s nothing big and bold in his approach to online privacy. He’s learnt from his own negative experiences online that his children need to be careful what they share, but believes ongoing honest conversations little and often are the best approach so his kids come to him when they are unsure of something online.