How to Keep Your Kids Safe Online: A Parent's Guide
Back then, the internet was a “big deal.”
Remember those days when using the internet meant walking to a cyber café, paying for an hour, and waiting your turn to use one of the desktop computers? You didn’t have the luxury to explore randomly—you went in knowing exactly what you wanted to search for (usually with a paper in hand!), and you got out as soon as your time ran out.
Now, fast forward to today… and it’s a whole different world.
For our kids, the internet isn’t that special—it’s part of everyday life. It’s where they do homework, play games, watch videos, chat with friends, and even explore their interests. While it offers tons of great opportunities to learn and connect, it also opens the door to risks many of us didn’t grow up with.
Here’s a stat that might surprise you: about 1 in 5 children who use the internet have been approached by someone they didn’t know in a way that made them uncomfortable. The scary part is kids often don’t know how to respond—or even realize something is wrong.
As a parent, it can feel overwhelming trying to keep up with all the apps, settings, and platforms your child might be using. But that doesn’t have to remain your story. You just need the right tools and a little guidance to figure it out. That’s what this guide will do for you.
We'll walk you through the most practical, doable steps to help your child enjoy the internet safely—while giving you peace of mind along the way. Let’s get started.
Why Internet Safety Matters
Just like we teach our kids to look both ways before crossing the street, we also need to teach them how to stay safe online. Here’s why it matters:
a. Online dangers are real
The internet may feel like it’s happening “out there,” but for kids, it’s very real and personal. They can come across people who aren’t who they say they are. Some may try to trick or befriend them in order to get personal information. Others might send inappropriate content or try to bully them through messages or social media.
Even if your child is using popular, kid-friendly apps, there’s always a chance they could run into something or someone unsafe—especially if they’re using chat features or browsing without supervision.
b. Their digital footprint sticks around
Every time your child posts a photo, comment, or video online, it leaves a digital trail. Even if they delete it later, someone may have already seen it, saved it, or shared it. Something that seems silly or fun today can cause embarrassment—or worse—later on.
c. Kids don’t always spot red flags
Children, especially younger ones, are naturally trusting and curious. They might not recognize when someone’s being manipulative or when a link might lead to something unsafe. What seems like a fun or friendly message might be a way to collect personal information or install something harmful on a device.
They need your help to learn what’s okay and what’s not.
Online Safety Tips for Parents
1. Know What They’re Doing Online
Before you can help your child stay safe online, it’s important to understand what they’re actually doing when they’re using the internet. The truth is, kids aren’t just “on YouTube” or “playing games”—there’s usually a lot more going on behind the scenes.
This doesn’t mean you’ll be always hovering around your kids. It’s about getting familiar with their online world. How to get started:
a. The apps and sites they use most
Kids today use a variety of platforms, and many of them have features that allow chatting, posting, or connecting with others—even if that’s not what the app was designed for. Here are a few common ones:
YouTube & YouTube Kids – Great for videos, but comment sections and autoplay features can lead them to strange content.
TikTok – Short, fun videos, but users can see public comments and receive messages (if not restricted).
Roblox & Minecraft – Building and gaming platforms with multiplayer features, meaning your child can chat with strangers unless settings are adjusted.
Snapchat – Popular for messaging with friends, but content disappears quickly, making it hard to monitor.
Discord – A group chat app often used by gamers. It can host large servers where strangers interact freely.
Each of these apps has its own risks and settings, but the first step is simply knowing what your child uses and what each app does.
b. What they’re doing there
It might look like your child is just watching videos or playing a game, but in some cases, there’s also:
Chatting with friends (and sometimes strangers)
Joining online communities
Sharing photos or videos
Exploring new content through recommendations or friends
Even games that seem harmless can include open chat features, links to outside websites, or in-app purchases. That’s why it’s helpful to occasionally sit with your child while they’re online—watch them play, ask what they’re watching, or have them show you how a favorite app works.
c. Be curious, not controlling
It’s easy to want to lock everything down or say “no” to every new app, especially if it feels unfamiliar. But the goal isn’t to scare kids away from the internet—it’s to help them use it wisely.
Start by showing genuine interest:
“What’s your favorite game right now?”
“Who do you usually play with?”
“What’s the funniest video you’ve seen this week?”
When your child sees that you’re open and curious (not judgmental or panicked), they’ll be more likely to come to you when something feels off—or even just to talk about what they’re doing online.
2. Start with a conversation
One of the most powerful things you can do is simply talk to your child about how they use the internet.
And we don’t mean a big, scary sit-down. Think casual, honest chats—at the dinner table, on a walk, or while you’re helping with homework.
Try asking questions like:
“What’s your favorite app right now?”
“Have you ever seen anything online that made you feel weird or uncomfortable?”
“Do your friends ever talk to people online they don’t know?”
Let your child know they can always come to you—without fear of getting in trouble—if something happens online that feels confusing, upsetting, or just “off.”
Try not to lecture them. Instead focus on building trust.
3. Set up parental controls (without being overbearing)
Thankfully, most devices and apps offer easy-to-use tools to help. Here’s a simple breakdown:
On devices (phones, tablets, computers)
Set screen time limits.
Restrict certain websites or types of content.
Turn off in-app purchases to avoid surprise charges.
In apps
YouTube Kids: Use it instead of regular YouTube for younger kids. You can set age-appropriate content levels and even hand-pick what’s available.
Roblox: Turn on the “Account Restrictions” setting to block chat and keep games age-appropriate.
TikTok: Use Family Pairing to limit time, filter content, and control who can message your child.
Not sure where to start? A quick online search for “[app name] parental controls” will usually give you step-by-step instructions.
4. Teach them the basics of online safety
Here are a few basics every kid should know:
Never share personal info (like your full name, school, phone number, or address).
Don’t talk to strangers online, even if they seem nice or say they’re your age.
Don’t click on weird links or pop-ups—some can lead to unsafe sites or downloads.
Never send photos or videos to someone you don’t know in real life.
Think before you post. If you wouldn’t want it shown to your whole school or grandma, don’t post it.
You can even role-play common situations:
“What would you do if someone online asked for your number?”
“What would you say if a message made you uncomfortable?”
Helping them think through these scenarios ahead of time makes it easier for them to make smart choices in the moment.
The Best Protection for Your Child
Keeping your child safe on the internet might feel overwhelming at times, especially with new apps and challenges popping up all the time. But the most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to do it alone. What really makes a difference is staying involved, being curious about what your child is doing online, and keeping the lines of communication open.
Remember, safety isn’t about controlling every click or message—it’s about helping your child understand the “why” behind the rules and knowing they can always come to you when they need help.
Technology will keep changing, but your relationship with your child is the best protection they have. When they feel supported and trusted, they’re more likely to make smart choices and come to you if something feels wrong.