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Campaign resources for charities, community groups and family-facing organisations

Charities, community groups and family-facing organisations are trusted by the families they work with. Many already support parents on topics like child safety, wellbeing and digital access. This campaign gives you a simple way to extend that support into online privacy, which is an area where many parents want to do the right thing but aren’t sure where to start.

Three-quarters of parents don’t think their children can make safe choices about what personal information they share online, yet one in five have never talked to them about it. Your organisation is well placed to help bridge that gap, whether through a newsletter, a conversation at a family session, or a message in a community group.

Resources

Newsletter text

Are you switched on to your child’s online privacy?

Every time children use apps, games or websites, information is collected about them - often without them realising. This can include their location, habits and even their mood. Most parents want to help, but knowing where to start isn’t always easy.

That’s why [ORGANISATION NAME] is sharing the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) campaign Switched on to privacy. It’s a free resource for parents and carers of children aged 4-11, with simple advice on talking about online privacy at home. It’s built around three steps:

  • Chat with your child about online privacy.
  • Choose actively what personal information to share.
  • Check the settings whenever your child uses a new device or app.

Small conversations now can make a big difference as your child grows up.

Find free tips, videos and conversation starters at ico.org.uk/switched-on-to-privacy/?utm_source=toolkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sotp

WhatsApp, message or email text

Short version (~45 words)

Hi all, [ORGANISATION NAME] is sharing this from the ICO. Did you know your child could be sharing personal info online without realising? Their Switched on to privacy campaign has 3 easy steps to help: Chat, Choose, Check.

Free tips for parents: ico.org.uk/switched-on-to-privacy/?utm_source=toolkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sotp 

Medium version (~110 words)

Hi everyone, [ORGANISATION NAME] wanted to pass this on to families.

Every time our children go online, they may be sharing personal information without knowing it - things like their location, habits and even their mood.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has a campaign called Switched on to privacy for parents and carers of children aged 4-11. It gives you three simple steps to start talking about online privacy at home:

✅ Chat with your child about online privacy.
✅ Choose actively what personal information to share.
✅ Check the settings whenever your child uses a new device or app.

You don’t need to be a tech expert. Find tips and videos at: ico.org.uk/switched-on-to-privacy/?utm_source=toolkit&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sotp

Please share with other parents and carers!

Staff intranet text

Switched on to privacy: helping families we work with talk about online privacy

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a national campaign called Switched on to privacy, aimed at helping parents and carers of children aged 4-11 talk about online privacy at home.

Many of the families we work with are navigating their children’s digital lives with little guidance. Research from the ICO shows that three-quarters of parents don’t think their children can make safe choices about what personal information they share online, yet one in five have never spoken to them about it.

As a trusted organisation in families’ lives, [ORGANISATION NAME] can play a valuable role in helping to close that gap - not by becoming experts in data protection, but simply by pointing families towards a helpful, free resource.

The campaign centres on three steps parents can take at home:

  • Chat with your child about online privacy.
  • Choose actively what personal information to share.
  • Check the settings whenever your child uses a new device or app.

How you can help:

  • Share the campaign with families through your newsletters, social media or community groups.
  • Mention it in conversations with parents during home visits, drop-in sessions or family activities.
  • Display the campaign link on noticeboards in community centres, family hubs or waiting areas.
  • Include it in any digital inclusion, online safety or family wellbeing programmes you run.

The campaign hub is at ico.org.uk/switched-on-to-privacy/?utm_source=toolkit&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=sotp - it includes free tips, short videos and downloadable conversation checklist that parents can use straight away.

Website text blocks

Switched on to privacy

The internet is an amazing place for children to learn, play and connect - but every time they go online, they may be sharing personal information without realising it.

[ORGANISATION NAME] is supporting the ICO’s Switched on to privacy campaign, which helps parents and carers of children aged 4-11 talk about online privacy at home using three simple steps: Chat, Choose, Check.

Visit ico.org.uk/switched-on-to-privacy/?utm_source=toolkit&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=sotp for free tips, short videos and conversation checklist you can use straight away.

Briefing script for frontline staff and volunteers

Helping parents get switched on to their child’s online privacy

What is this about?

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a campaign called Switched on to Privacy. It helps parents and carers of children aged 4-11 start simple, regular conversations about online privacy at home.

Why does it matter?

Every time children go online - using apps, games or websites - data is collected about them, often without them knowing. This can include their location, browsing habits, friendships and even their mood. Three-quarters of parents don’t think their children can make safe choices about what personal information they share online, yet one in five have never talked to them about it.

Many of the families you work with may not have had the opportunity or confidence to start these conversations. A simple mention from someone they trust can make a real difference.

What can parents do?

The campaign gives parents three simple steps:

  • Chat with your child about online privacy.
  • Choose actively what personal information to share.
  • Check the settings whenever your child uses a new device or app.

What can I say to families?

Here are three suggested ways to raise this naturally:

  • During a home visit, drop-in session or family activity: “Have you come across the Switched on to privacy campaign? It’s from the ICO and it’s got some really simple, practical tips for chatting to your children about what they share online. It’s free and you don’t need to be a tech expert. You can find it at ico.org.uk/SwitchedOn.”
  • In a quick or informal conversation: “There’s a handy free website with tips on talking to kids about online privacy - it’s called Switched on to privacy at ico.org.uk/SwitchedOn. Might be worth a look if your little ones are using apps or games.”
  • If a parent raises concerns about their child’s online activity: “That’s a really common worry. There’s a free resource from the ICO called Switched on to privacy that might help. It gives you three simple steps for talking to your child about what they share online. It’s at ico.org.uk/SwitchedOn. I can jot that down for you if that’s helpful.”

Key point: The tone should always be supportive and encouraging. This is about empowering families to build smart online habits together - not about telling parents they’re doing something wrong. Meet families where they are and adapt the message to what feels natural for the conversation.

Social media text

Short version (230 characters)

Lots of families are already talking about staying safe online and online privacy can be part of that too.

The ICO’s Switched on to privacy campaign shares simple, everyday tips for parents of 4–11‑year‑olds.

👉 ico.org.uk/switched-on-to-privacy/?utm_source=toolkit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sotp

Medium version (534 characters)

Every time children go online, they may be sharing personal information like their location or habits without knowing it. Many parents want to help, but don’t always feel confident starting those conversations.

That’s why the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) created Switched on to privacy. It’s a free campaign for parents and carers of 4–11‑year‑olds, built around three simple steps: Chat, Choose, Check.

It’s practical, reassuring and easy to fit into everyday life.

Find free tips and short videos at 👉ico.org.uk/switched-on-to-privacy/?utm_source=toolkit&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sotp

Digital and social media images pack

You can download images and videos and then upload them to your social media channels. Please include alt text with images to support accessibility.

Make sure to tag us on our social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X.

Download the digital and social media images zip file - English version

Download the digital and social media images zip file - Welsh version