Explainer Videos

Most children's introduction to the online world is via video-sharing platforms like YouTube, while social media begins to appeal as they approach their teenage years. While these platforms are undoubtedly entertaining and engaging, they can also be highly addictive and expose young people to a variety of other online risks. Our short video, presented by Myleene Klass, will quickly raise your awareness of online platforms and how children use them.

Internet-enabled devices are almost everywhere these days - from smart TVs and voice-responsive speakers to mobile devices and wearable tech. Our short video, presented by Myleene Klass, will quickly get you up to speed on the various ways that children can connect with the online world.

Social media isn't reality, and what people portray on those platforms often isn't an accurate representation of their actual life or personality. That's something which even adults can forget from time to time, so it's even more likely that the boundaries between an online and offline identity can be confusing for children. Presented by Myleene Klass, our short explainer video has all the essentials on online identity.

The digital revolution has transformed the way we use and relate to information. In this bite-size explainer video, presented by Myleene Klass, we'll give you a quick briefing on how understanding more about online information can help us to protect children on the internet.

Just because something has been uploaded to the internet doesn’t mean that it’s free to download, distribute or use. Myleene Klass presents our bite-size video guide to understanding how copyright and ownership work in the online world.

The internet's ability to connect us with others who share our values, our sense of humour or our interests is a benefit that also has to be treated cautiously: after all, these are very often people who we ONLY know online. In this short explainer video presented by Myleene Klass, we examine online relationships - and how understanding them (and the associated risks) is key to safeguarding children in the digital world.

The digital world can have an immense impact - both positive and negative - on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Mum of three and online safety advocate Myleene Klass presents this short video on how we can protect youngsters psychologically and emotionally as they find their way around the online landscape.

Playing video games online is a massively popular pastime, with hundreds of millions of young devotees right across the world. In this bite-size video, presented by Myleene Klass, we'll help you to 'level up' your knowledge of online gaming.

Young people are often introduced to gambling behaviours by features of online games like loot boxes and skin betting. In this short video, Myleene Klass addresses how adults can educate children about online gambling or gambling-adjacent behaviours - and how we might spot a young person who is developing a problem.

Bullying has blighted childhoods all over the world throughout the centuries - but now, digital technology makes it possible for someone to be targeted at any time of day or night, and even in their own home. In this short video, Myleene Klass explains how cyber-bullying has changed the landscape ... and how we can help to protect children from it.

In the digital world, our data is a highly valuable commodity which is collected, sold and analysed by big companies on a daily basis – including that of children and young people. Myleene Klass presents this short explainer video on the importance of protecting our privacy and our personal information online.

Like it or loathe it, social media is indisputably one of the biggest cultural phenomena of the 21st century so far. Here, broadcaster and social media personality Myleene Klass presents our short guide to Twitter, TikTok and the rest.

Myleene Klass presents our bite-size guide to online streaming: what it is, what kind of content's available and what parents and carers can do to ensure their children are streaming in safety.

Part of our Online Bullying Series 2020-21

Gentle leg-pulling or joking with friends online can be an amusing, identity-affirming aspect of our digital lives - but at the same time, the concept of 'banter' also provides a convenient fig-leaf which more malicious individuals often hide behind. Our short video examines this complex and often sensitive subject.

From a positive viewpoint, online forums provide a platform for people to come together and discuss interests that they're equally passionate about. On the flip side, they're also relatively closed communities in which trolling, bullying and other forms of online abuse often take place 'under the radar'. Our bite-size explainer video will quickly fill you in about online forums.

Part of our Online Bullying Series 2020-21

Sometimes, racism online is so blatant that it's an actual shock to witness. More often, it's the sort of subtle, insidious racism that could be plausibly passed off as 'a joke' or 'a misunderstanding'. Our short explainer video examines the ways that race hate can rear its head in the digital world, and how it tends to spread.

One of the most distasteful aspects of the internet is that it gives a voice to individuals or groups spreading hate speech. There is, unfortunately, no sign of this issue abating in the near future - so it's important that children and young people are educated on the subject and have built up a degree of resilience to malicious online opinions. Our short explainer video will quickly give you the essentials.

Mobile apps that link with a phone or tablet's location services can be an excellent way for parents and carers to keep track of a young person's whereabouts. If family members can pinpoint their location, however, then potentially so can strangers online. Our short explainer video will ensure you're in a well-informed position on location apps.

Crowdsourcing involves a large number of people online contributing something - votes, ideas or most commonly money - towards a specific cause: it could be scientific or genealogical research; for charity; or to help fund a commercial project. Watch our five-minute video to make sure you're not lost on the subject of crowdsourcing.

Part of our Online Relationships Series 2020-21

Fake online profiles are hardly new, but some individuals on the internet take it to the next level - formulating credible life stories, using authentic-looking pictures and effectively crafting a believable identity to fool the unwary. What do these people actually want, and how can we learn to spot them? Our bite-size video on catfishing explains how to avoid being reeled in.

Just like films have an age certificate, most video games also come with a rating which indicates which age they're deemed to be suitable for. With many best-selling games featuring extreme violence, explicit content or horror themes, check out our short video on age ratings to make sure you're in the know.

Part of our Online Mental Health & Wellbeing Series 2020-21

From counting the calories we've burned to assessing our quality of sleep, fitness trackers are an increasingly popular way to monitor wellbeing. If, however, you're flummoxed by Fitbits or ambivalent about Apple Watches, our explainer video will quickly help you to catch up.

Connecting with the wider world online can expand a young person's social network and introduce them to whole communities of people who share their interests. Just like in offline life, however, membership of any group comes with certain pressures to fit it or to be popular. Our five-minute video explains some of the common social pressures that children can encounter in the digital world.

How often do you thoroughly read the terms and conditions before signing up on a new app or site? Probably not often ... if ever. So what's actually in the small print, and what does it mean for our data - and our privacy? Our explainer video will give you a quick insight into the types of agreements we all regularly enter into online.

Part of our Online Mental Health & Wellbeing Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Mental Health & Wellbeing Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Mental Health & Wellbeing Series 2020-21

Most high street bookmakers now offer their own mobile app, while there are countless other lottery or casino-style sites and games throughout the digital world. They're for adults only, of course - but their sheer volume and visibility frequently catches the attention of impressionable younger eyes. Our five-minute video will give you the inside track on gambling apps.

A near-constant source of controversy and debate in the gaming world, loot boxes and skin betting form an integral part of many popular titles but have been criticised for normalising gambling-type behaviours. Our short video has all the essential information for trusted adults.

The ability to compete or cooperate with other players online has added a whole new dimension to video gaming consoles. It's also created an entirely different set of considerations for trusted adults to be aware of. Our five-minute explainer gives you a swift rundown on the most popular games consoles.

Can you tell a MMORPG from an FPS? What even ARE they? Some types of video game naturally carry more potential risks than others. Watch our five-minute video to get a better grasp of the most popular gaming genres.

"Aww, just one more game?" It's a familiar refrain from young gamers everywhere - but what are the possible risks when their digital activities start to assume a disproportionate influence over their daily lives? Our bite-size video tells you what you need to know about gaming disorder.

New breeds of celebrities have emerged in the digital age: notably, streamers and influencers - who often command an audience in the hundreds of thousands. Who are these superstars of the internet, and how have they become so prominent? Our short explainer video will quickly bring you up to speed.

From planning a route for your journey to finding the nearest cashpoint or café, there are times when location services are a blessing. That isn't always the case, however - and sometimes (for children especially) having our location pinpointed through a phone or tablet is a definite risk. Check out our quick video briefing on location tracking.

Part of our Online Privacy & Security Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Privacy & Security Series 2020-21

Malware is the bane of internet users. It can steal our passwords, spy on our online activities and siphon off our personal data. Make sure you're aware of the variety of threats that malware poses by spending five minutes watching our explainer video.

"Do you accept cookies?" We all see the message, almost every day - and mostly we click 'yes', without batting an eyelid. Not many of us, however, fully understand what cookies do - or how accepting some of them can open the door to their more malicious relative, adware. Take five minutes to watch our explainer video.

Part of our Online Privacy & Security Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Privacy & Security Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Privacy & Security Series 2020-2021

Part of our Online Privacy & Security Series 2020-21

Do you know your white hats from your black hats? How about grey hats? Our quick explainer video is brim full of the information you need to get your head around hacking.

Part of our Online Privacy & Security Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Privacy & Security Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Privacy & Security Series 2020-21

You might remember Napster. You may have heard of BitTorrent. If you haven't (or if you have, but aren't sure how they work), check out our short explainer video on P2P (peer-to-peer) sharing.

If the number of calculator apps on a young person's phone doesn't add up, it's very probable that one of them is a smokescreen for another type of software entirely. Calculators are a common disguise, but by no means the only camouflage out there - watch our short video to uncover the facts about hidden apps.

Whether they're called 'connections', 'friends' or 'followers', the number of people who we're linked to online is seen as something of a status symbol in digital circles. What are the risks of having a large network? Our short explainer video brings you the essentials.

The social media influencer is a new strand of celebrity culture which has emerged in the digital age. What qualifies someone as an 'influencer'? What do they talk about? Why are big businesses so keen to partner with them? Find out what you need to know in less than five minutes with our explainer video.

Virtually every social media platform has a facility for reacting to content instantly. It's quick, it's easy and it's convenient - but what happens if people (young people especially) begin to conflate online 'likes' with real-world popularity, or even their own self-worth? Check out this short explainer video on the subject.

The facility to instantly share interesting content with others is one of social media's most popular facets. Our short video on tagging and sharing will make sure you're not missing out on any essential information.

Part of our Social Media & Live Streaming Series 2020-21

Mystified by Messenger? Confused about Kik? Woolly on WhatsApp? Give us five minutes of your time, and our explainer video will get you back into the conversation.

Often funny, sometimes commendable ... and occasionally dangerous. Check out our five-minute explainer video to make sure you're up to speed with the subject of online challenges.

Part of our Social Media & Live Streaming Series 2020-21

Livestreaming has massively taken off in recent years, with content creators broadcasting to the world about a multitude of subjects. If you feel like you're lagging behind, our bite-size explainer video will quickly help you catch up.

Instead of vinyl, cassettes or CDs, most young people's music collection now exists purely in digital form. With millions of songs from millions or artists available in seconds, our bite-size video gives you a quick run-down of music streaming.

Part of our Online Privacy & Security Series 2020-21

They used to say "the camera never lies". In the digital age, however, that's no longer accurate. Our five-minute video on filters and photo-enhancing apps will put you in the picture.

In the online world, avatars can offer a degree of protection and privacy for young people - but they can also provide anonymity to individuals with malicious intentions. This short video tells you everything you need to know.

Personality goes a long way, they say - and that's certainly true in the digital world. Where we go and what we click online shapes our subsequent experiences on the internet. This five-minute watch explains why our digital personality matters ... more than we might think.

It's almost impossible to go online these days without being told that 'product X' will revolutionise how you live, or 'activity Y' will have unprecedented benefits to your health. Is all this information accurate - or even safe? This short video tells you what you need to know about lifestyle sites.

Once merely a plot device of science fiction stories, artificial intelligence (AI) is now figuring in our everyday digital lives with increasing regularity - in ways that we sometimes don't even realise. Our five-minute video gives you the essential intel on artificial intelligence.

Deepfakes - and more specifically, the use of them for malicious purposes - are featuring in the news with increasing frequency. Watch our short explainer video to find out why, in the digital age, seeing shouldn't always mean believing.

Digitally altering images used to be reserved for film stars on movie posters, models in magazines or pop singers on album covers. Now, anyone with the right software can modify any image they choose. Our short video on digital manipulation will swiftly put you in the picture.

We've all heard horror stories of online identity theft. While it's a hazard that mainly affects adults, it's not unknown for young people to be targeted. Our five-minute explainer video tells you what you need to know.

Part of our Online Identity & Self Image Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Identity & Self Image Series 2020-21

What actually IS a digital footprint? How does it shape our experiences on the internet? This bite-size video quickly explains why every step we take in the online world has consequences.

Part of our Online Information Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Information Series 2020-21

The term "fake news" has embedded itself in the public consciousness over recent years - but who knowingly puts inaccurate stories online, and why? This short video explains why fake news exists and how it can affect young people in particular.

It's an advertiser's dream: software that tells them exactly what kind of things we like to buy. Our bite-sized video explains why this type of cookie might be bad for more than just our waistline.

It may be free to download, but that doesn't necessarily mean an app or game won't ever cost you money. Our short video will help to level up your knowledge of in-app purchasing.

We often type information into a search engine to find a specific image ... but did you know that you can search with an image to find information? Let our quick explainer video put you in the picture.

What's the difference between misinformation and disinformation? If they're both misleading, why is one forgivable and the other deplorable? Watch our five-minute explainer video to help separate the facts from the fiction.

From horse-sized dogs to a revival of the TV show 'Friends' to Bill Gates giving away free cash, hoaxes have long been part of the fabric of the online world. Improving software and the advent of social media, however, have made them more convincing and able to spread more rapidly. Our (genuine!) explainer video brings you the facts in less than five minutes.

Part of our Online Information Series 2020-21

Simply having our own opinions reinforced can sometimes be more harmful than having them challenged, or considering opposing points of view. Our short video on echo chambers explains the dangers of this online phenomenon.

Online propaganda, in many cases, can be indistinguishable from genuine, impartial news reports - putting young people at increasing risk of being influenced. Our bite-size explainer video quickly covers the essentials of this growing issue.

Gaslighting is a form of abuse, through which an individual is gradually convinced of something false by other people. Our illuminating video will quickly unpack this rapidly emerging online hazard, which credulous young people are particularly vulnerable to.

The internet is a battleground of opinions - many of them genuine and heartfelt, but some placed there deliberately to make financial or political capital. Quickly find out what you need to know about the organised world of information operations in this short explainer video.

Part of our Online Information Series 2020-21

Many of the things we do online require giving our permission, or asking for that of others. What does this mean for young people, and why is it such a crucial concept for them to grasp? Our bite-size explainer video explores the issue of digital consent.

A seemingly endless array of content - live or on demand - through young people's phones, televisions, tablets and computers. If streaming feels like uncharted waters, then our bite-size video will quickly put you in the picture.

Part of our Online Identity & Self Image Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Identity & Self Image Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Identity & Self Image Series 2020-21

Brands. Trademarks. Copyrights. Licenses. The ownership ocean of software that's available online can be a choppy one. Our short explainer video on software and content licensing will help to make it smoother sailing.

Some content creators are happy for other people to use their work - but only under specific conditions. Creative commons licenses can be a knotty issue, but our explainer video will help you start to untangle all the red tape.

Part of our Online Identity & Self Image Series 2020-21

When content is uploaded to the internet, who actually owns it? Does anyone? Our bite-size video explores copyright in the online space, and why it's important to be aware of the law.

From tweets to TikToks and from messaging to memes, the online world is awash with ways for people to express themselves at the click of a mouse or the touch of a screen. Our short video covers the essentials of tech-related communication.

Online grooming is a nightmarish situation for parents and carers, and - even more pertinently - a potentially life-altering one for its young victims. Our short explainer video addresses the key issues that trusted adults need to be aware of.

Many groups with extreme political views attempt to use the internet to indoctrinate potential recruits to their cause - and impressionable young people are a prime target. This short video tells you what you need to know.

Part of our Online Relationship Series 2020-21

Part of our Online Relationship Series 2020-21

Part of our Annual Online Safety Course for Parents and Carers 2019-20

Scammers and fraudsters have adapted their techniques to dupe unwary and inexperienced internet users; this short video will swiftly put you in the picture.

Children being exposed to content on the internet which isn't appropriate for their age is a perennial safeguarding concern; this video quickly tells you what you need to know.

This short explainer video explores the concept of online identity - what is is, how it's created and how it can develop.

This short video addresses the key details around how children and young people can find themselves being sexually exploited in the online world.

This concise video has all the essential information you need to understand on the subject of online bullying.

This short explainer video addresses the widespread issues of fake profiles and social bots.

Making connections online with people who we don't know in 'real' life can be fraught with risk - particularly for young people, and especially if the relationship begins to develop into something beyond a friendship. This bite-size video will quickly bring you up to speed on the often complex subject of online relationships.

Part of our Annual Online Safety Course for Parents and Carers 2019-20