When our children head to the playground, we instinctively scan the space.
Is it safe?
Who’s there?
Are they ready to climb that high?
Do they know what to do if someone is unkind?
Yet when children step into the digital playground — games, group chats, social media, video platforms — we often hand over the keys without the same level of preparation.
But the rules of the real playground offer a powerful guide for navigating the digital one.
The Digital Playground Is Still a Playground
Just like the park down the road, the digital playground has:
Fun and freedom — creativity, connection, play
Risks — exclusion, bullying, inappropriate behaviour
Unwritten rules — social norms, power dynamics
A need for supervision — especially when children are young
We wouldn’t drop a toddler into a busy playground alone — and we shouldn’t expect children to manage complex digital spaces without guidance either.
Our role as parents isn’t to hover forever, but to coach, model and gradually step back as confidence and skills grow.
What the Real Playground Teaches Us About the Digital One
You Start Small Before You Roam Free
Children begin in the toddler area before tackling the climbing frame.
Digital parallel: Start with age-appropriate platforms, limited access and shared use before moving towards independence.
Tip: Delay smartphones and social media where possible — build skills first, access later.
You Talk About What to Do When Things Go Wrong
We prepare children for falls, arguments and big feelings.
Digital parallel: Children need to know what to do if they see something upsetting, feel excluded or are contacted by someone who makes them uncomfortable.
Tip: Regular, calm conversations matter more than one “big talk”.
Practical Tips for Parents (All Ages)
You Watch Without Interfering (All the Time)
We observe from the bench — stepping in only when needed.
Digital parallel: Supervision isn’t spying. It’s staying curious, informed and available.
Tip: Open devices, shared passwords (when younger), and regular check-ins build trust.
You Teach Kindness and Boundaries
“No pushing.” “Take turns.” “Use your words.”
Digital parallel: Online behaviour needs the same values — respect, empathy and self-control.
Tip: Link online behaviour to real-world consequences and feelings.
Think skills before screens
Treat online life as part of real life, not separate from it
Keep devices in shared spaces when children are young
Normalise coming to you — even if mistakes are made
Focus on connection, not control
Parent Scripts: What to Say at Every Stage
Early Years (Ages 3–6)
Focus: Foundations, habits, safety
“Just like the playground, we stay where grown-ups can see when we’re online.”
“If something pops up that feels confusing or scary, you stop and tell me.”
“Screens are fun — and then we rest our eyes and bodies.”
Primary Years (Ages 7–10)
Focus: Rules, kindness, early independence
“Games and apps have rules, just like playground games.”
“If someone is mean online, you won’t be in trouble for telling me.”
“Let’s agree what you can play, when, and where.”
Pre-Teens (Ages 11–13)
Focus: Peer pressure, confidence, trust
“Not everyone online plays fair — just like not everyone in the playground does.”
“If a group chat starts to feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to leave.”
“My job isn’t to spy — it’s to help you stay safe.”
Teens (Ages 14–18)
Focus: Autonomy, responsibility, reflection
“What you post online is like saying something out loud in the playground — once it’s out there, you can’t take it back.”
“How does this space make you feel — energised or drained?”
“I trust you, and I’m here if things get complicated.”
The Goal: Confident, Kind Digital Citizens
We don’t raise children by banning playgrounds — we raise them by teaching them how to use them well.
The same is true online.
By linking the digital world to something children already understand — play, people and boundaries — we help them grow into thoughtful, resilient, confident digital citizens.
And just like the real playground, the digital one is best navigated together — at first — before letting go, step by step.
