July 01, 2026 - 201 views
Parents across North Wales are being urged to have regular conversations with their children about staying safe online this summer, as schools break up and youngsters spend more time using the internet at home.
The advice comes from North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Get Safe Online, who have joined forces to remind families that, despite plans for a social media ban for under-16s, parents still play a vital role in helping children navigate the digital world safely, securely and with confidence.
The campaign encourages parents and guardians to take an active interest in the apps, games and websites their children use, while discussing topics such as cyberbullying, online scams, inappropriate content, misinformation and the importance of protecting personal information.
Families are also being encouraged to use parental controls, privacy settings and safe search filters, choose age-appropriate platforms, and ensure children know they can always speak to a trusted adult if something online makes them feel uncomfortable.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, said: “Keeping our children safe doesn’t stop at the school gates, the front door, or when term time ends. It extends into the digital world they navigate every day.
“While technology offers incredible opportunities to learn, connect and grow, it also brings risks that young people cannot always manage alone. That’s why it is so important that parents and guardians feel confident to guide, support and have open conversations with their children about life online.
“Both supporting children and young people and staying safe online are important parts of my Plan for fighting crime in North Wales and, by working together and making use of trusted advice, we can help ensure the younger generation across North Wales are able to explore the internet safely, securely and with confidence.”
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly common in apps and online services, North Wales Police is also warning parents to discuss emerging risks with their children.
Dewi Owen, from North Wales Police’s Cyber Crime Team, said many popular apps now include AI chatbots that can appear to be real people. He said youngsters should understand they are speaking to computer programmes and should never share private information or automatically trust the information they receive.
He also encouraged parents to switch off location-sharing features on apps, explain that disappearing messages can still be captured through screenshots, and make sure children know how to block and report harmful users or content.
Mr Owen said: “The digital world doesn’t pause for the summer holidays, and neither do the online risks or the cyber criminals. Protecting children online is a collaborative effort.
“As technology evolves, so do the methods used by those who wish to cause harm. We strongly urge parents to follow these tips and have honest conversations with their children about online safety.”
The campaign also advises parents to help children recognise fake news, fraud and AI-generated misinformation, encourage them to think carefully before posting online, and remind them that what is shared on the internet can be difficult to remove.
Parents are also encouraged to celebrate the positive aspects of the internet, including opportunities for learning, creativity and social connection, helping children feel supported rather than monitored while building healthy online habits.
Get Safe Online is commissioned by the Office of the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and North Wales Police to provide free online safety advice and guidance to people across the region.
More information and the latest online safety advice is available at www.getsafeonline.org.
