For parents and carers
A family that talks about life online, before something goes wrong
A free check for your household, one small step a week, and games your children can play at their own level, from age 6 to 18. Built on conversation, not surveillance.
Free for families. No card, and no account needed to start.
Under 5 minutes. You get a score out of 100 and your first step.
- Your childrenGames and missions at their level, ages 6 to 18
- YouA score out of 100 and one small step a week
- When something feels wrongCalm, step-by-step help straight away
You're not on your own
When something online worries them, most children tell someone.
From Ofcom's research with children and parents across the UK. Ofcom, Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2026.
Telling someone is the habit that keeps children safest. Everything here is built to make that conversation easier, through talking rather than monitoring.
What you get
What changes at home
Your children
Short games and missions for ages 6 to 18: real or fake, group chats, passwords, pressure and scams. No data collected.
You
A free safety check for your household with a score out of 100, then one small step a week, starting with what matters most.
Talking about it
Conversation starters for each age, so the chat happens little and often rather than only when something has gone wrong.
When something goes wrong
Step-by-step help in Digital 999, a Scam Check for messages you're not sure about, and Coach Nell to ask any time.
New scams
Scam alerts when something new is going round, including AI fakes.
On your phone
The free CyberSafe Coach app on Google Play, with the children's area and your weekly step.
Less work, not more
What a week looks like
Family life is busy enough. This fits around it.
Start of the week
Your one small step, picked from your family check, waiting on your dashboard.
Any day
Your child plays a mission in the children's area, at their own pace.
When the moment is right
A short chat, using a conversation starter for their age.
As they grow
The games and guidance move up with them, from Little Sage at 6 to Apex at 18.
For your children
Five age zones, from 6 to 18
Each zone has its own guide and games written for that age. Children don't need an account: an adventure code keeps their place.
Ages 6 to 7
Little Sage
Feelings, keeping things private, and who to tell
Ages 8 to 10
Sage Explorer
Real or fake, strong passwords, kind or unkind
Ages 11 to 13
Byte
Group chats, games, photos and AI
Ages 14 to 16
Nova
Footprints, pressure, and spotting the setup
Ages 17 to 18
Apex
Money scams, deepfakes, and where the line is
Why it works
One big talk, or a little and often?
Many families have one serious talk, often after something has gone wrong. Here's how a little and often compares.
| Question | One big talk | CyberSafe Coach |
|---|---|---|
| How often | Once, often after a worry | A small step each week, and short chats when the moment is right |
| Who learns | Usually just the grown-ups | You, and your children through games at their level |
| New scams and AI fakes | Whatever was around at the time | Alerts as new ones appear |
| When something feels wrong | A hurried search online | Step-by-step help in Digital 999, and Coach Nell to ask |
Pricing
Free for families
Everything on this page is free for individuals and families, the app included.
Families
Free
No card, and no account needed to start.
- Family safety check with a score out of 100
- One small step a week, with weekly tips
- Children's games and missions for ages 6 to 18
- Digital 999, Scam Check and scam alerts
- The CyberSafe Coach app on Google Play
Work in a school?
Staff training, safeguarding records and the parent guidance your families need are on the schools page.
The detail
Age by age: what to expect
Ages 6 to 7
What's common
Curiosity about games, videos and messaging. Shared devices with family members. Early encounters with content that feels confusing.
What to watch for
Difficulty telling what is real from what is made up online. Sharing personal information without realising it. Discomfort they struggle to put into words.
How to respond
Build simple habits and boundaries together. Reassure them it is always okay to ask or speak up. Share device time rather than relying on restrictions alone.
Ages 8 to 10
What's common
More confident device use, first messaging apps and online play with friends. Beginning to understand passwords, privacy and what to share.
What to watch for
Trying new apps or games without checking in. Worry about being left out of group chats. First unkind messages or comparisons with friends.
How to respond
Build habits like strong passwords and asking before downloading. Talk openly about kindness online and what to do if something feels off.
Ages 11 to 13
What's common
First social platforms, group chats and online friendships. Growing awareness of privacy, images and digital footprints.
What to watch for
Changes in behaviour after time online. Reluctance to share what they are doing. Pressure from friends to share content or join platforms.
How to respond
Talk about privacy and footprints in simple, calm terms. Make it easy to own up to mistakes. Show real interest in what they enjoy online.
Ages 14 to 16
What's common
Greater independence online, more complex friendships and relationships, and a much wider range of content and platforms.
What to watch for
Stress from peer pressure or online dynamics. Manipulation or boundary-crossing they may not recognise. Reluctance to ask for help.
How to respond
Support their growing judgement rather than adding control. Help them recognise when something crosses a line. Keep talking, even briefly.
Ages 17 to 18
What's common
Near-adult independence: money, jobs, dating and creating content. AI-generated images, deepfakes and convincing scams.
What to watch for
Scams aimed at young people, such as fake job offers and payment app fraud. Pressure around image sharing. Telling real from fake.
How to respond
Treat them as the capable adults they are becoming. Share what you notice without lecturing, and make it easy to ask about money and relationships.
Starting the conversation
These aren't scripts. Use them when the moment feels right, in your own words.
- "Can you show me how that works?" Opens the door without judgement.
- "What would you do if that happened to a friend?" Lets them think it through at a distance.
- "Who would you talk to if something didn't feel right?" Makes asking for help normal.
- "What do you think is okay to keep private?" Builds their own judgement.
The best conversations are short, low-pressure and regular, not only when something goes wrong.
When something feels wrong
- Pause and stay calm. Children take their cue from the adults around them. A calm response helps them feel safe to keep talking.
- Reassure them. Tell them they did the right thing by telling you, and that you are not angry or disappointed.
- Hold back on blame or punishment. Taking away a phone straight away can close down the next conversation. Understand first.
- Get advice or follow the right route. If it feels bigger than an everyday worry, speak to their school's safeguarding lead or a trusted professional.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
For a scam, a hacked account or money lost, Digital 999 walks you through it step by step.
What this is, and what it isn't
It is: building confidence, spotting worries earlier, calmer conversations, and practical starting points for everyday situations.
It isn't: monitoring your child, investigating incidents, or a replacement for safeguarding routes. The children's games collect no data.
Other trusted help
- Childline: free and confidential for children and young people, 0800 1111.
- NSPCC: online safety advice for parents and carers.
- Internet Matters: guides to apps, games and parental controls.
- CEOP Safety Centre: report online sexual abuse or grooming to the police.
Cyber Essentials certified
The UK government-backed standard for the basics of cyber security. Verify our certificate.
Start with the free family check
It takes under 5 minutes. You'll get a score out of 100 and your first small step.