Why online privacy conversations matter for young children

For today’s children, the internet is not something they grow into; it is something they are born into. From a very early age, many children are using connected devices for learning, entertainment and communication. This makes conversations about online privacy not only relevant, but essential – so I was glad to see the recent release of the Switched on to Privacy resources by the ICO.  The resources include advice for parents and schools in encouraging and supporting discussions regarding online privacy. If we wait until problems arise, we miss the opportunity to help children build understanding and confidence before habits are formed.

Online privacy can feel like an abstract concept, particularly for young children. Information is shared quickly and often invisibly, and the consequences of doing so are not always immediate or obvious. This is precisely why early discussion is so important. By talking openly about what personal information is, why it matters, and how it can be used, we help children develop an early awareness that their digital lives deserve care and protection, just like their physical ones. And these discussions should be taking place both at home and in schools.

Crucially, these conversations should not be about fear or restriction. Instead, they should create space for children to ask questions and express concerns. When adults invite discussion, children are more likely to share experiences that feel confusing or uncomfortable, whether that is being asked for information they do not understand, encountering content that worries them, or feeling unsure about what is safe to share. Normalising these conversations helps children see privacy as something to think about and talk through, rather than something they are expected to manage alone.

We must also acknowledge that the technologies children will encounter in the future may look very different from those we know today. While we cannot predict every platform or risk, we can support children to become thoughtful and questioning users of technology. Talking about online privacy helps them begin to consider who might see their information, why it is being collected, and what the potential benefits and risks might be. 

Starting early matters because it shapes attitudes. When conversations about privacy are woven into everyday learning from the primary years, children grow up seeing them as normal and important. They learn that making mistakes online is not something to hide, but something to learn from with support. Over time, this helps build critical thinking, resilience, trust and confidence.

If our children will never know a world without the internet, is there such as thing as too early in seeking to help them understand how to protect themselves within it?