Parents, carers, teachers and youth workers can use this child-friendly phone safety poster to start clear conversations with children and younger teenagers about safer messaging, sharing and online behaviour. It gives pupils practical reminders for using smartphones, social media, group chats and apps, with a strong focus on speaking to a trusted adult when something feels wrong.
When a child needs simple, memorable rules for handling an uncomfortable message, suspicious link or difficult group chat, this A4 phone safety poster offers eight clear points to discuss. The opening reminder, “Pause. Think. Then send.” encourages children and teens to consider the consequences before sending messages, photos or videos.
Personal information and privacy are covered in practical terms, including keeping addresses, school details, passwords and live location private. Young people are also reminded that online contacts may not be who they claim to be, and that they should not arrange to meet someone known only online or share personal photographs with them.
Several sections address common digital safety concerns for pupils: harmful or upsetting content, strange links, unwanted requests for information, bullying and embarrassing behaviour in group chats. It suggests actions children can take, such as stopping replies, muting or leaving a chat, blocking a person, reporting concerns and saving messages or screenshots when safe.
The poster also makes clear that nobody should pressure a child to send an intimate image, keep a secret or do anything that causes discomfort. It is especially suited to primary-aged children, younger secondary school pupils, parents and safeguarding professionals who need a visual online safety prompt for a classroom, home discussion, pastoral session or one-to-one support conversation.
