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Helping Kids Stay Safe Online
Digital literacy and safety go hand in hand. Empower the next generation with the right tools.

Today’s children are digital natives — they grow up streaming, scrolling, chatting, and gaming. But while their familiarity with technology might seem second nature, their awareness of online risks often isn’t. Online safety isn’t just about technical controls; it’s about building digital resilience, critical thinking, and trust-based communication.

Protecting kids online involves more than just installing software. It’s about equipping them to make smart decisions, recognize red flags, and feel confident asking for help.

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Here are some key areas to focus on:

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1. Start early with digital literacy

Children should understand early on what the internet is, what data privacy means, and that not everything online is trustworthy.

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  • Talk about what personal data is — name, address, birthday, school name — and why it should be kept private.

  • Use stories or examples to explain how easily things can be misused online.

  • Teach them how digital content spreads — once something is shared, it's hard to undo.

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For further helpful information visit https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship.

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2. Use parental controls — but don’t rely on them alone

Parental controls can help, but they're not a substitute for guidance and conversation.

  • Activate parental settings on all devices, browsers, YouTube, streaming platforms, and app stores.

  • Use tools like:

  • Set age-appropriate content filters, daily screen limits, and app restrictions.

  • Review device activity together — make it a regular and non-punitive routine.

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3. Create a Family Online Agreement

Setting rules together helps build ownership and responsibility.

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  • Include rules for screen time, where and when devices can be used, which sites and apps are allowed, and how to respond to online problems.

  • Review and adapt the agreement as your child grows.

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You can find a template here: https://www.fosi.org/good-digital-parenting-tool/family-online-safety-agreement-ages-13-and-under

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4. Talk about cyberbullying — and how to respond

Bullying can be invisible to adults but deeply hurtful online.

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  • Teach your child not to respond to or forward hurtful messages.

  • Encourage them to take screenshots, block the person, and tell a trusted adult.

  • Explain the difference between reporting (helpful) and “tattling” (which some kids fear).

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If you want to know more about cyberbullying and how to prevent it, please visit https://www.stopbullying.gov/.

 

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5. Be cautious with games and in-app chat

Gaming platforms often include chat functions and friend requests from strangers.

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  • Disable voice chat if not essential, or limit it to “friends only.”

  • Encourage using screen names that don’t reveal gender, age, or location.

  • Watch out for grooming behavior, in-game purchases, and “friend” requests from unknown users.

 

Pro tip: Play one of their favorite games with them to better understand the environment.

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6. Teach password basics and account protection

Children should learn early that passwords are like toothbrushes — private, regularly updated, and not to be shared.

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  • Show them how to create a strong passphrase using four random words.

  • Help them enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on their most-used services.

  • Warn them never to reuse passwords across apps and platforms.

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Want to learn more about how to create and use strong passwords? Visit https://www.staysafeonline.org/articles/passwords.

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7. Discuss online strangers and grooming risks

Not everyone online is who they say they are.

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  • Teach your child that people may lie about their age, intentions, or identity.

  • Role-play examples where someone might ask them to “keep a secret” or share a photo — and why that’s never okay.

  • Make sure they know they can come to you without getting in trouble.

 

Important resource: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/.

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8. Respect their growing independence — with guidance

Teens especially need autonomy but still benefit from boundaries.

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  • Ask before checking their phones, and explain your reasons clearly.

  • Encourage them to curate their feed, mute toxic content, and unfollow accounts that make them feel bad.

  • Discuss what a “healthy online relationship” looks like — both with friends and romantic interests.

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9. Remind them that not everything online is real

From influencers to deepfakes to AI-generated content, kids should question what they see.

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  • Talk about how people only post highlights — not real life.

  • Teach them how misinformation spreads and how to fact-check with sites like:

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10. Know what to do when something goes wrong

Make sure your child knows how to report, block, and get help when they need it.

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Protecting children online is a shared journey — not a one-time fix. The most effective safety net is your ongoing presence, openness, and willingness to learn with them. Technology changes fast — but trust, empathy, and good communication never go out of date.

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