As part of our ongoing commitment to online safety, we recently asked our Year 6 pupils about how they use the internet at home. The results provide a reassuring and positive picture of strong parental involvement, clear boundaries and good communication.
How Year 6 children are using the internet
Most Year 6 children now have regular access to the internet, with the most popular activities being:
- Watching TV programmes and films online (especially Netflix and Disney+)
- Watching videos on YouTube
- Using messaging apps to stay in touch with friends
- Playing online games
It is important to note that not all children use apps. Some pupils reported that they are limited to TV channels and catch-up services such as iPlayer, showing that families are making different choices based on what works best for their child.
Boys’ and girls’ online use
There were some clear but expected differences in how boys and girls use the internet:
- Boys were more likely to use gaming platforms and video-based content.
- Girls were more likely to use messaging apps and streaming services.
- YouTube and Netflix were popular with both boys and girls.
Overall, children tend to use a mix of platforms, rather than focusing on just one.
Parental controls and online safety
Encouragingly, many children told us that:
- They have time limits on their internet use
- There are age restrictions on what they can watch
- They need parental permission to download new apps
This reflects a strong level of parental engagement, with families actively monitoring and discussing online activity to help keep children safe.
IMPORTANT ONLINE SAFETY REMINDER
As Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube are the most popular platforms among Year 6 pupils, we kindly remind all parents and carers to regularly check that:
- Age-appropriate profiles are set up on Netflix and Disney+
- Restricted Mode or child-safe settings are enabled on YouTube
- PINs or passwords are in place to prevent access to unsuitable content
- Viewing history and recommendations are checked from time to time
These steps, alongside open conversations at home, help ensure children enjoy the internet in a safe, positive and age-appropriate way.
#WeWorkTogether
Overall, this survey shows a very positive picture of families working closely with their children to support safe online habits. Thank you for your continued support in helping us work together to keep our children safe online.