Kids’ Online Safety Basics
Kids are online for school, games, videos and friends, often on their own devices. Most of that is positive, but children can run into strangers with bad intentions, scams, bullying and content they aren’t ready for. Open, ongoing conversations protect them more than any app.
- Parents & caregivers
- Home & family
Talk early and often
- Ask what apps and games they use and who they talk to, with curiosity rather than suspicion.
- Make it clear they can come to you if something online makes them uncomfortable, without losing their device.
- Teach that people online aren’t always who they say they are.
- Agree on family rules: which apps, how long, where devices charge at night, what gets shared.
Settings and tools
- Use built-in parental controls on phones, tablets and game consoles (Screen Time, Family Link, console family settings)
- Set accounts to private and limit who can message or friend your child
- Check age ratings and minimum ages for apps and games (many social apps require users to be 13 or older)
- Turn off location sharing in apps
- Require approval for app downloads and purchases
- Keep devices out of bedrooms overnight for younger kids
Warning signs of grooming
Predators often build trust slowly, through games and chat apps. Watch for:
- A new online “friend” who gives gifts, game currency or lots of attention
- Requests to keep the friendship secret or move to private messaging apps
- Requests for photos, or pressure to meet in person
- Your child becoming secretive, withdrawn or upset after being online
Sextortion
In sextortion, someone tricks a young person into sending an explicit image, then threatens to share it unless they pay or send more. Teenage boys are frequently targeted, often by organized criminals posing as girls. Tell kids:
- It’s not their fault, and they won’t be in trouble for telling you.
- Don’t pay or send anything more; stop responding.
- Save the messages and usernames, then block and report.
- Get help from a trusted adult right away.
Report to the NCMEC CyberTipline (CyberTipline.org or 1-800-843-5678) and the FBI. NCMEC’s “Take It Down” service can help remove images of minors from participating platforms. If a child talks about self-harm, call or text 988. See Mental Health & Suicide Prevention.
Bullying
Online bullying can follow kids everywhere. Save evidence, block and report the bully, and involve the school when classmates are involved.
Standards & references
Last updated: