But what does Internet safety really mean to you? How can you turn these two words into actions that will actually make a difference to your family today?

It’s one thing reading great advice, but it’s not always so easy taking the time and effort acting it out on our lives. We’re all so busy and these days who has time to concentrate on something Safer Internet Day?

The answer is all of us.

The Internet plays a massive role in all of our lives. Chances are every member of your family is online, and using the web in a unique way. Internet safety is no longer an abstract techie term but instead something that affects all of us, from grandparent to grandchild.

So what can you do this Safer Internet Day that will really make a difference to your family’s safety when they use the net? I would argue the most important thing to do is just have a conversation.

Five tips for talking to your kids about Internet safety

• Ask your kids what they are doing online. What games are they playing? At very least try to find out more about what they are doing and the types of places they visit online.
• Have a discussion with your kids about friends they communicate with online and explain that we should share some things with close friends and think about what we share with a everyone else.
• The discussion should be open so they understand that they can come to you when they have an issue or concerns.
• Explain to your kids what you do on the Internet and how you manage friends and situations, they can learn from your experience and follow your example.
• Address anything that concerns you, for example if they are posting pictures taken on a mobile phone. Do they know that pictures from a mobile can give away extra information like their location?

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Having a quick conversation with your child doesn’t take much time, especially if you chat over a family meal (without phones!).

Providing strong parental leadership opens a really important dialogue between you and your kids about what happens behind that screen.

If there is one piece of advice I can give any parents on Safer Internet Day it has to be talk to your kids about their digital experiences and be part of it.