AS we approach the end of November, parents and carers might taking advantage of the Black Friday sales to get a head start on shopping for Christmas tech.

Even if you’re not hitting the sales, but you’re still thinking about giving children devices like mobile phones, laptops or tablets, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers that can come with the gift.

The internet can be a wonderful place for children with its ability to educate, inform and entertain. It can help us keep in touch with friends and relatives around the world. But it can be a gateway for online bullying, child abuse and exploitation. Online grooming crimes have reached record levels across the UK, with offences topping 7,000 for the first time, according to recent figures from UK police forces. Forces in Yorkshire and the Humber recorded 477 of these offences last year, an increase of 61 per cent since the offence first came into force.

The internet can also offer young people access to unsuitable content on social media, which can impact mental health and wellbeing, or can be used by bullies to target children.

The NSPCC works tirelessly to share vital information with parents, carers, professionals and children which can help keep them safer online. On the NSPCC website you can find advice dedicated to protecting children online, a wealth of advice for children and adults including pages dedicated to staying safe online, mobile phone safety and social media.

Whether you want to find out more about apps or games and their safety features, or if you want advice on how to help children stay safe online, there are resources on our site which can help. For young children taking their first steps into the online world, there’s Techosaurus, the online safety dinosaur who, along with an activity pack and simple messaging, shares vital information in age-appropriate language. There are guides on how to start a conversation with your child about online safety. Talking regularly with your child can help keep them safe online.

Making it part of daily conversation means when they do have worries, they’re more likely to speak to you. Ask them about the games, apps or videos they’re using. Have they seen any inappropriate content and if so, how did it make them feel? As a parent, try to pay attention to whether their behaviour has changed after spending time online. Do they feel anxious, or angry if they lose a game? Try to help them balance their online time with other activities, and remind them that if anything makes them feel uncomfortable, they can talk to someone, whether a parent, carer, teacher, trusted adult or our Childline service. If they have fears or worries about the online world this festive period, even on Christmas Day, our counsellors will offer support and answer any questions. They’re available around the clock on 0800 1111 or on the website.