In today’s digital world, it’s nearly impossible to disconnect, and that includes our kids. Whether they’re doing homework, gaming, or chatting with friends, our kids are spending more time online than ever. This leaves many parents scrambling to try and protect their children from online threats.
Here are some practical cybersecurity tips for parents to keep your kids safe online:
1. Use Parental Controls and Monitoring Tools
Many devices and platforms offer built-in parental controls that allow you to set screen time limits and restrict access to age-inappropriate content. These built-in tools are a great first line of defense, but for more comprehensive protection, third-party parental control apps can offer additional features and peace of mind.
One app that some of our employees have personally used and recommend is Bark, especially when used alongside built-in device controls.
Good parental control apps should feature:
- Screen time management
- Content monitoring across texts, emails, and social media
- Alerts for potential safety concerns
- Website blocking
- Location tracking
In addition to parental controls, don’t forget to have open and honest conversations with your kids about what’s appropriate to access online. Setting expectations early helps build trust and encourages responsible behavior.
Bonus tip: Regularly review the apps installed on your child’s devices and check their permissions. This helps ensure nothing concerning has been downloaded and keeps you informed about how the device is being used.
2. Teach Kids to Spot Online Risks
Even with controls in place, it’s important to give kids tools to protect themselves online. Teaching them to recognize scams, suspicious messages, and unsafe behavior empowers them to make smart choices.
Tips for building awareness:
- Teach them not to share personal information, like full name, school, address, or photos.
- Show your child examples of common scams and phishing messages.
- Encourage them to ask before responding to messages from people they don’t know.
- Help them adjust privacy settings on social media or gaming platforms.
Bonus tip: Use avatars and nicknames instead of real names and photos when creating online profiles. In games like Roblox, a little anonymity goes a long way!
3. Watch for Red Flags
Even with monitoring tools and guidelines in place, your child may still encounter risks online. Watch for signs that something might be wrong.
Red Flags to Watch For:
- Sudden mood changes after being online.
- Being secretive about what they’re doing on their devices.
- Quickly closing apps or screens when you walk into the room.
- Receiving messages or friend requests from people you don’t recognize.
- Becoming unusually upset when internet access is limited or removed.
These signs could point to cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, or contact from online predators pretending to be peers, especially in games or chat apps. If you notice any of these, don’t panic, but it’s time to have an open and supportive conversation with your child.
4. Practice Good Cyber Hygiene
Basic cybersecurity habits go a long way in protecting the family’s devices.
Make sure to:
- Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it’s available for added security.
- Keep devices and apps up to date with the latest security patches.
- Turn off location sharing on apps that don’t need it.
Bonus tip: Parental settings only work if you can access the device, so make sure you have the password to the devices your child uses.
5. Limit In-App Spending
Accidental purchases are more common than you’d think. Many parents have discovered surprise charges from games or apps their credit card information was saved on!
What to do:
- Don’t link your credit or debit card to apps used by your child.
- Instead, use gift cards or prepaid cards with spending limits.
- Set up purchase restrictions or approvals in parental control settings when available.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to keep your child safe online. With the right tools, conversations, and healthy online habits, you’ll be better equipped to spot potential issues before they escalate.
Stay involved, stay informed, and don’t be afraid to adjust your family’s online safety strategy as your child grows.
Stay safe, stay Securus!
