Parents' questions about their child's safety

Sources reviewed on November 1, 2026. Based on public advice.

Honest answers to questions parents ask about their child's safety. Each answer starts with the point. Then you read what you can do, with sources at the bottom. Without scaring them, and without numbers we couldn't check.

Start here: three guides

• How do you help keep your child safe? A guide for parentsEight rules to practice, what you arrange, and who to call.
• How do you explain to your child what is safe and what is not?Six signs about behavior, and how to practice them.
• How do you help keep your child safe online? A guide for ages 4 to 8Three rules, the settings, and what to do if something happens.

Books

• Books about saying no and body safety, comparedSeven books side by side. Not a ranking.
• A read-aloud book as a gift for a 5-year-oldWho it's right for, and what's less good about it.

Saying no, bodies and boundaries

• How do you teach your child to say no?Short sentences, role play and one clear rule.
• Your child won't hug or kiss a relative: is that OK?Yes. What to say to your child, and to the relative.
• Good secrets and bad secrets: how do you explain the difference?Three questions your child can ask about any secret.
• How do you talk to your child about private parts?Proper names, OK touches and not-OK touches.
• Is playing doctor normal for young children?What is normal, what to say, and when to ask for help.
• How do you talk to a young child about sex?Find out what the question is, then answer it honestly.
• How do you teach your child to trust their gut?Name the feeling, and make telling the rule.

Home, babysitters and sleepovers

• What age can a child stay home alone?Usually not before 10. What the US and UK say.
• How do you choose a babysitter you can trust?References, a test run, and one rule for your child.
• Sleepovers: which questions do you ask, and what is a code word?Questions for the host, and a way home with no questions asked.

Out and about, and at school

• Is stranger danger still good advice?Not on its own. Teach what people do, not who they are.
• What do you teach your child if a stranger approaches them?The common tricks, and four things your child can do.
• What is a family password, and how do you set one up?One word that tells your child who may pick them up.
• Should your child's name be on their backpack?Inside, yes. Outside, better not.
• What age can a child walk to school alone?Not before about 10 for crossing streets. What to practice now.
• Your child is lost or missing: what do you do first?The steps for you, and the rule for your child.
• What is an AMBER Alert, and what do you do when you get one?What the alert means, and what you can do.
• How do you teach your child to call 911 or 999?What an emergency is, and what the operator will ask.
• Tattling or telling: how do you explain the difference?If someone is hurt or sad, you can always tell.
• Peer pressure: how can a young child say no to a dare?Think it through ahead of time, and practice a short no.
• How do you check if a sports club is safe for your child?Ask about time alone, and know where to report.

Online and on the tablet

• What is online grooming, and how do you protect your child?The common tactics, and three rules for young children.
• How do you set up parental controls on a tablet or phone?Screen Time for Apple, Family Link for Android.
• Is YouTube Kids safe for your child?Safer than YouTube, not perfect. Which settings to choose.
• Is Roblox safe for your child?Chat off, a parent account, and what to keep an eye on.
• Free Robux: how can your child spot the scam?Free Robux don't exist. One rule, and what to do after a click.
• What is sextortion, and what do you do if it happens?What it is, what to do, and what a young child needs now.
• An AI nude image of your child: what can you do?Report it, use Take It Down, and support your child.
• Posting photos of your kids online: what should you check?Who sees it, what it gives away, and what your child thinks.
• What age should your child get a first phone?No set age, and no rush. What to decide on instead.

If you are worried

• What are the signs of child abuse in a young child?What to look for, and why a concern is enough to act.
• What do you do if your child tells you about abuse?Stay calm, believe them, and get help.
• How do you spot an adult who crosses boundaries with children?What to watch for, and how to raise it.
• How do you report child abuse in the US and UK?Who to call, and why you don't need to be sure.
• How do you help your child tell you anything?Daily habits, and how to react when it counts.

Want to practice these topics with your child? That's why the picture book Noor Says No was made. This is general information, not a replacement for professional help. Worried about a child? In the US, call or text Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453. In the UK, call the NSPCC at 0808 800 5000. Immediate danger: call 911 or 999.