- Keeping Kids & Teens Safe Online
What You Need to Know
As kids spend more time on gaming consoles, educational apps, and social platforms, digital safety is a modern extension of street smarts. Scammers, cyberbullies, and predatory accounts frequently target younger users who may not spot warning signs.
Here is how to help your children navigate the digital world safely without turning into the internet police:
3 Core Rules for Kids & Teens
1. Protect Personal Information (Gaming & Social)
- Keep Gamertags Neutral: Ensure screen names, gamertags, and profiles do not reveal real names, birth years, locations, or school names (e.g., use BlueFalcon99 instead of Jake_AustinHS_08).
- Mute Public Voice Chat: In multiplayer games like Roblox, Fortnite, or Minecraft, default voice chat to “Friends Only.” Remind kids that strangers in online lobbies are still strangers, even if they share the same game objectives.
2. Recognize “Gifting” & In-Game Scams
- Scammers often promise free in-game currency (like V-Bucks or Robux), exclusive skins, or account upgrades in exchange for personal info, login credentials, or credit card details.
- The Golden Rule: Never trade account credentials or click third-party links promising free in-game perks.
3. Establish an “Open Door” Policy
- Make sure your child knows they won’t lose their device privileges if they come to you after making an online mistake, seeing disturbing content, or feeling uncomfortable with an online message. Open communication is the single best defense against cyberbullying and online exploitation.
Quick Parent Tech-Check
- Review Privacy Settings: Set social media accounts (Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat) to Private so only approved friends can see posts and send direct messages.
- Turn Off Location Sharing: Disable precise location permissions for camera apps and social media apps so photos don’t broadcast your child’s exact location.
- Use Router-Level Controls: Turn on content filtering and set bedtime Wi-Fi schedules directly through your home router’s companion app.
Not sure you’re doing enough to protect your child against digital dangers?
Call our cyber parenting hotline or email us for help:
801-692-6200
cyberparentinghelp@invisus.com
