VML Kids
Also available: Guide for Adults Guide for Professionals Staff Guide Statement of Intent Ages 10–14 Ages 15–17
🌟 For children aged 6 to 10

Staying Safe —
A Guide Just For You

This is your guide. It is here to help you stay safe and feel good about being online.

Need help right now?

🆘 HELP Press this if you need help right now ⚠️ CONCERN Something is worrying me
🔒

You are safe here.

VML Kids is a place where you can have fun, talk to friends and learn things — and where the grown-ups are always looking out for you.

This guide will help you understand what is okay and what isn't, and who to tell if something worries you.

🧠 Your Body Belongs to You

Your body is yours. Nobody has the right to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, scared or confused — not even someone you know, not even a grown-up.

Some parts of your body are private — the parts covered by your swimsuit. Nobody should touch those parts, look at them, or ask you to touch theirs. If this ever happens, it is not your fault and you should tell a trusted grown-up straight away.

✓ OK touches

  • A hug from someone you like and trust
  • A doctor checking you when a parent is there
  • A pat on the back for doing well
  • Holding hands with a friend or family member

✗ Not OK touches

  • Anyone touching your private parts
  • Being touched when you have said stop
  • A touch that makes you feel scared or confused
  • Being asked to touch someone else's private parts
Remember: If anyone touches you in a way that doesn't feel right — even if they tell you it's okay, even if they say it's a secret — it is never okay. You can always tell someone you trust.

🔒 Good Secrets and Bad Secrets

Not all secrets are the same. Some secrets are fun — like knowing what someone is getting for their birthday. But some secrets are not okay.

✓ Fun secrets

  • A surprise party for someone
  • A birthday present
  • A fun surprise that will make someone happy soon
  • Fun secrets have a end — you find out soon!

✗ Not okay secrets

  • A secret that makes you feel scared or worried
  • A secret about a touch that didn't feel right
  • A grown-up asking you to keep something from your parents
  • A secret that goes on forever and never ends

If an adult or an older child asks you to keep a secret that makes you feel worried, uncomfortable or scared — that is a bad secret. You do not have to keep it. You can tell a grown-up you trust, and that is always the right thing to do.

💙 Trust Your Feelings

If something feels wrong — it matters.

Sometimes you might not be able to explain why something feels wrong. That is okay. You do not need to be able to explain it. If something feels uncomfortable, scary, or just a bit strange — that feeling is important.

Your feelings are telling you something. Listen to them. And then tell a grown-up you trust.

You might feel worried about telling someone. You might think you will get in trouble, or that nobody will believe you, or that it might make things worse. These are normal feelings — but they are not true.

Telling a grown-up you trust is always the right thing to do. You will not be in trouble. You will not be ignored. And things will get better.

📱 Staying Safe Online

Being online can be really fun — you can play games, watch videos, talk to friends and learn new things. But just like in real life, there are rules to help keep you safe.

✓ Safe things to do online

  • Talk to friends and family you know in real life
  • Play games with people your parents know about
  • Tell a grown-up if something online worries you
  • Use the HELP button if something feels wrong

✗ Things to watch out for

  • Someone you don't know trying to be your friend
  • Anyone asking for your photo or personal details
  • Someone asking you to keep your chats secret
  • Anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable online
On VML Kids, every person has been checked. But if anything ever feels wrong — someone says something that worries you, someone asks you to do something that doesn't feel right — press the HELP button or tell a grown-up straight away. You won't be in trouble. You will be helped.

💙 Who Can You Tell?

If something worries you, you can tell any of these people. Pick the one you feel most comfortable with:

👪A parent or guardian
👩‍🏫A teacher
👨‍⚕️A doctor or nurse
👴Another trusted adult
📞Childline: 0800 1111
🔒VML Kids safeguarding team

If one person doesn't listen or help, tell someone else. Keep telling until someone helps you.

Childline
0800 1111

Free. Just for children. Any time, day or night.

NSPCC
0808 800 5000

For adults who are worried about a child.

Emergency
999

If you or someone else is in danger right now.

It is NEVER your fault.

If something bad has happened to you, it is not your fault. It does not matter what you were wearing, what you said, or what you did. It is never, ever your fault.

You are not in trouble. You deserve to be safe. And telling someone is always the bravest and best thing you can do.

💡 What to Do if Something Worries You

  1. 1
    Stop. If something online feels wrong, stop what you are doing.
  2. 2
    Don't reply. Don't answer messages from someone who makes you feel uncomfortable.
  3. 3
    Tell a grown-up. Tell a parent, teacher or other trusted adult as soon as you can.
  4. 4
    Use the HELP button. On VML Kids, the HELP button sends a message directly to our safety team.
  5. 5
    Don't delete anything. Leave the messages there — they can help the grown-ups understand what happened.

Remember — you can always press HELP

If something worries you right now on VML Kids, use one of these buttons. A real person — not a computer — will see your message and help you.

🆘 HELP — I need help right now ⚠️ CONCERN — Something is worrying me
VML-KIDS-CGY-003  |  Version 1.0  |  Issued April 2026  |  Next review April 2027
Part of the VML Digital Safety Ecosystem  |  Safeguarding Library