What should we delete when a child’s device is full?

Find the actual storage pressure

Research context: Ofcom reported that 88% of children ages 3–7 and 99% of children ages 8–17 went online in 2025. Source: Ofcom: Children and Parents Media Use and Attitudes 2025–26.

Open the device’s supported storage view and identify the largest categories. Distinguish downloaded media that can be obtained again from original work that may exist only on this device. Ask the child about items whose names are unclear. A folder of tiny recordings may matter more to them than a large downloaded film. Avoid turning cleanup into a judgment about which hobbies are worthwhile; the immediate problem is available space and the location of valuable files.

Choose a low-regret first action

Look for a documented way to remove an unneeded download or temporary local copy while preserving the original account item. Read the confirmation carefully, because similarly named options can have different effects. If you export a project, open the copy somewhere else before deleting its source. Do not use an unfamiliar cleaner app that requests broad access simply because it promises a quick fix. If the device belongs to a school, follow that organization’s storage instructions.

Make the next cleanup easier

Create a simple place for completed projects and agree when to review unused downloads. Keep the system small enough that the child can participate. After freeing space, test the task that failed and confirm the important app still opens its work. Avoid reporting success solely from a larger free-space number. If storage fills again quickly, investigate the specific source rather than repeatedly deleting random files. The useful outcome is a working device with valued work preserved, not the emptiest possible storage screen.