The digital world evolves rapidly - don’t get left behind!
As Black Friday approaches, we are excited to relaunch its popular Sort Your Settings campaign, continuing our commitment to helping families stay safe online during the busiest shopping season of the year. First introduced in 2022, this initiative provides parents and guardians with practical, easy-to-follow advice to protect children from online risks - especially as festive deals and digital purchases surge.
Why it matters more than ever
The Online Safety Act 2023 is now in force - a major milestone in making the digital world safer for children. This new law means platforms like social media, gaming sites, and search engines must step up: blocking harmful content, enforcing age checks, and giving parents better tools to keep kids safe online. Ofcom will be making sure they deliver, with regular risk assessments and tough compliance checks.
For parents, this is great news - more support than ever before. But it also means taking action at home. With Black Friday just around the corner and new devices on many wish lists, now’s the time to make sure those gadgets are set up securely. A few simple steps can make all the difference in protecting your child online.
The Online Safety Act 2023
The Online Safety Act 2023 has now come into force, introducing robust new protections for children online. Platforms are legally required to:
- Prevent access to harmful and age-inappropriate content.
- Enforce age verification and parental controls.
- Provide clear reporting mechanisms for online harms.
- Conduct regular risk assessments to identify and mitigate threats to children.
These changes mean parents have more support than ever - but also more responsibility to ensure devices are set up securely.
What’s new this year
Our webpage has been refreshed to include up-to-date information about new and popular online games and social media platforms. There’s advice on all aspects of online safety, including how to access parental controls as well as information about social media age restrictions, game age ratings, chat settings and more.
Our refreshed Sort Your Settings webpage includes:
- Updated guidance on popular games and social media platforms.
- Step-by-step instructions for enabling parental controls. Including new advice about security settings on routers; popular smart devices like the echo dot and Google ‘Forget Me’.
- Information on age ratings, chat settings, and privacy tools.
- Tips on avoiding online scams and cyber threats - like software updates, and phishing prevention.
On the ground and online
Our Business Crime Team will continue visiting retailers across Essex, making sure parents have the know-how to keep kids safe online the moment those new gadgets leave the store. They’ll also be listening - because your feedback helps us tackle real-world challenges and stay ahead of the latest trends. Look out for us in stores like Game, Currys, Smyths Toys, CEX, and mobile phone shops, where we’ll share simple tips to lock down devices right at the point of purchase.
PC Glen Foote from the Business Crime Team says:
"With the Online Safety Act now enforcing stronger protections for children online, campaigns like Sort Your Settings are more vital than ever. They empower parents and carers with practical tools to navigate digital risks, apply age-appropriate safeguards, and make informed decisions that help keep young people safe in an increasingly complex online world."
A Store Manager at Game shared:
“Sort Your Settings is incredibly helpful. The advice on privacy settings and parental controls makes it easier for parents to understand how to keep their children safe online - especially when gifting new devices.”
Our online safety top tips
Here are five quick ways to boost your child’s online safety:
- Protect your identity - Don’t share personal information.
- Think before you post - Once it’s online, it’s no longer yours.
- Check your privacy settings - Make sure they’re up to date.
- Respect age ratings - Games and apps have them for a reason.
- Use parental controls - They’re your first line of defence.
For more information on loot boxes, chat functions, and how to make your child safer online, visit our Sort Your Settings page.
Want to get involved?
If you're a business and would like to support the campaign, please contact our Business Crime Team.