With concerns about escalating screen-time, the impact of violence, unexpected costs and interloping strangers it can be tempting to lock down video games to limit their negative impact. While some sensible boundaries are helpful, they are only a short term solution for how we guide children towards gaming health. Created by Andy Robertson, parent and journalist, this guide focuses on the impact of online gaming and how to effectively manage your child’s video game diet. Click the button below to access your free guide.

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Virtual Reality is the practice of creating computer-generated images or sometimes even entire worlds for a user to experience as if they were there. While virtual reality is perfectly safe on the whole (although sometimes you might feel like you’re in real, physical danger) there are some things to look out for if you plan on giving it a try.

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The Switch is classed as a hybrid because it’s designed to be played both at home like a traditional console (think a PlayStation or an Xbox) or as a portable console, like a GameBoy. Switch games can be played on the internet with the purchase of Nintendo Switch Online, presenting new online safety, e-shopping and screen time challenges for parents.

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The National Online Safety community have collaborated with gaming expert Mark Foster to talk about ‘FaceApp’, the trending app that uses AI to completely transform selfies.

The app requires users to upload images of an individual’s face to edit them using advanced filters to make the person look older, younger, appear with different hair colour etc. The app uses either the phone camera or photos uploaded from social media accounts to apply the filters and allows users share the altered photo. While this all sounds like innocent fun, there have been some valid concerns raised about the terms and conditions, and what the company that owns FaceApp is doing with all these selfies.

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Parents and carers handy guide to help control what their children have access to whilst watching TV during the summer.Thanks to the internet, there are now many ways for your children to watch TV, both the old fashioned way on a big screen and via the internet with on-demand programming. Restricting and controlling what your kids can watch is harder than ever, but with our help you can make TV safer for your kids and limit the amount that they can watch.

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The National Online Safety community have partnered with Leicestershire Police to highlight the rising concern of children purchasing drugs online.

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Parental controls are a great tool for helping to protect children but should not replace open and honest conversations with children about their life online. Share these tips on how to use parental controls effectively.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/Parental-controls/?utm_source=Thinkuknow&utm_campaign=8a726bc872-TUK_JULY_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0b54505554-8a726bc872-55039681

Many children enjoy live streaming as it can be used to showcase talent, develop communication skills and create identity. Our article helps parents to understand why children love it, what the risks can be, and how they can help their child stay safe if they are live streaming.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/live-streaming-responding-to-the-risks/?utm_source=Thinkuknow&utm_campaign=8a726bc872-TUK_JULY_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0b54505554-8a726bc872-55039681

Whether it’s watching videos, playing games on their devices or talking to Alexa – today’s under 5s are spending more time online. In this article we look at the benefits of children accessing the internet, and share advice about how parents can make sure their child has a safe experience online.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/keeping-your-under-five-safe-online/?utm_source=Thinkuknow&utm_campaign=8a726bc872-TUK_JULY_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0b54505554-8a726bc872-55039681

Lots of parents love sharing photos of their children with friends and family, particularly when they are on holiday or starting the new school year. A recent report found that 42% of young people reported that their parents had done this without asking their permission. Our article helps parents to protect their child while staying social. 

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/Sharing-pictures-of-your-children/?utm_source=Thinkuknow&utm_campaign=8a726bc872-TUK_JULY_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0b54505554-8a726bc872-55039681