Parenting: 8 Strategies to Keep Your Child Safe — Online and Off
Kids can be easy targets on the internet and in person. A few strategies for parents and caregivers.
1. Set a good example
...by limiting your own virtual consumption. Set times and areas of your home that are technology-free. This will not only show your child what responsible social media use looks like but it also creates more opportunities to bond with your kid. Similarly, use your devices in public areas of the home. Though tough to follow, 'No devices in the bedroom' is a good rule for everyone.
2. Have strong security
...on all your devices, including a password manager, up-to-date software and operating systems and antivirus software. Cover cameras and microphones when not in use to prevent hackers.
3. Set boundaries
...about places they may go, people they may see and things they may do. Review appropriate (in person and online) behavior with them. Have conversations about what is appropriate to say or share. For example:
- Be kind online and in person: don't tease or belittle other people.
- Never click on unknown attachments or too-good-to-be-true offers.
- Don't share personal information online (address, phone number, school name).
- Never send compromising photos to anyone.
- Children should always get parental approval before agreeing to meet in person with someone they've met online.
4. Know important information
Even young children should know their full name, home phone number and how to use the telephone. Post your contact information where your children will see it: office phone number, cell phone, etc. Know where they are going. Get the FBI's child ID app. Online, have their sign-in information.
5. Check their posts
Check their social media and gaming profiles and posts. One way is to friend them on Facebook and other platforms so you can see what they are posting. Experts say not to go through their text messages unless there is cause for concern.
6. Review their settings
Online, review the links, apps, games and websites they can turn to. Each platform will have a link. Search "parental controls and privacy settings" for the name of the game, app or site you want. Turn off locations settings and set up a separate account for your child, setting age-appropriate content. YouTube has this. Others like Google’s parent company, Meta, established policies enabling high privacy settings for users younger than 16 and making it more difficult for people your kids don’t know to chat with them. This includes SafeSearch settings to hide or blur inappropriate content. They also set up a link to report harassment.
7. Talk, talk, talk — and listen
Make sure they know they can turn to you without judgement. Having regular, casual conversations from an early age will make it easier for them to talk to you when there's a problem. Let them know that they can also reach out to a trusted school counselor or teacher or even anonymously call and talk to someone. (See some resources below.)
8. Get help
See the Google Families site for more tips on privacy. You can download their Family Link app to supervise your child's Google Account. There's a link on Facebook/Instagram for protecting teen privacy. Check if other providers have this too. Consumer Reports has a step-by-step guide to How to use parental controls on a Smartphone.
If setting parental controls is too daunting, find a tech person who can help with the settings as well as help you review your kids' social media, apps and games.
To report a safety concern on social media, contact Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok or WhatsApp.
Learn more: Help Keep Your Child Safe From Violence, Exploitation and Abuse
Related: Protecting Your Child From Cyberbullying
