What Parents Need To Know- Online Safety for Children

What Parents Need to Know About Their Children’s Online World

As a counsellor on placement in a primary school in London, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with children and gaining insight into the digital worlds they inhabit. What I’ve discovered—firsthand—is that while technology can be fun, creative, and even educational, there are hidden-and quite frankly shocking- dangers that many parents simply aren't aware of.

Here are two critical areas every parent needs to understand:

1. Level-Based Games: Not Always as Harmless as They Seem

I was chatting with a six-year-old boy during one of my sessions when he mentioned a game he’d found on Roblox called Sprunkies. On the surface, it seemed innocent enough—cute characters, colourful graphics, and playful interactions. Like many parents might, his caregivers gave it a quick glance, decided it looked age-appropriate, and thought nothing more of it.

But here's the catch: games like Sprunkies often start off sweet and innocent, only to take a dark turn as players move through the levels.

During our session the boy drew a character from level 1—a cute, harmless little figure. I agreed on how lovely it was. “I like level 100 though” he said innocently. “Ooooh what’s that?” I ask and with a smile on his face he drew what he called a "phase 100 Sprunkie". This version was shocking: half its face had been blown off, eyeballs dangling, and a noose around its neck. “Well that’s a bit different to the first one” I say sheepishly whilst scribbling down the name of the game on my safeguarding alert sheet. Suicide imagery and a half blown off face is hardly an age appropriate game for a six year old. Parents simply have no clue of the dark rabbit holes some level based games take their children down.

The creators of these games rely on shock factor and gradual desensitisation to keep children engaged. The horror unfolds subtly, level by level, while parents remain unaware, having only seen the beginning of the game.

What you can do:
If your child is playing a level-based game—particularly on platforms like Roblox—don’t just look at the first level. Monitor their gameplay periodically. Ask them about the storylines, the characters, and the levels they’ve reached. You might be surprised at how quickly things escalate into territory that is completely inappropriate for young minds.

2. YouTube Links: A Hidden Path to Harmful Content

YouTube has become a go-to for entertainment, education, and everything in between. Kids use it all the time, and many parents do their best to check the videos for anything overtly harmful. But the danger isn’t always in the video itself—it’s in the links that lie beneath.

Some content creators design their channels to appeal directly to children: colourful thumbnails, silly voices, quirky catchphrases. Think of it like vape packaging—fruity, bright, and fun, designed to catch a child's eye while concealing the harmful reality behind it.

I’ve come across several YouTubers who appear kid-friendly at first glance. But when you click into their profile or open the description of their videos, you find something completely different: links to OnlyFans, a pornographic platform where users can buy and sell explicit content.

Imagine your child watching a seemingly harmless video, scrolling down, clicking a link—and ending up on a site designed for adult content consumption. It's not far-fetched. It's happening.

What you can do:
Don’t just scan the video—check the profile description, video descriptions, and linked content. Ask your child who their favourite YouTubers are, and take a deeper look into what those creators are really offering behind the scenes.

Final Thoughts

The internet is not inherently bad—but it’s unfiltered, unpredictable, and often profit-driven. There are people out there actively targeting children with disturbing content disguised as fun. As a parent or caregiver, you don’t need to ban all online content—but you do need to stay curious, involved, and aware.

Talk to your children. Ask questions. Play the games yourself. Watch the videos with them. Because being proactive now could protect their mental health and emotional well-being down the line.

Written By Nanny Emmy

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions or topics you would like us to discuss in future blogs please do send an email to nannyemmyquestions@gmail.com