Online Safety
Protect your children while they explore the digital world
Cyberbullying Prevention & Response
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is repeated digital harassment—texts, posts, DMs—that can reach kids anytime, spread fast, and leave a lasting record2629.
- Messages can arrive any time, even overnight
- Screenshots make posts hard to erase
- Linked to stronger mental-health impacts
Common forms ▾
- Harassment & flaming — repeated insults, threats, humiliating comments27
- Exclusion — leaving someone out of chats, games, or communities27
- Outing / doxxing — posting private info or images to embarrass2627
- Impersonation — fake profiles or hijacked accounts spreading rumors27
- Rumor-spreading & image abuse — sharing edited or humiliating media26
Where it happens ▾
Why it can be more harmful ▾
Think your child might be experiencing cyberbullying? Save key screenshots with timestamps and talk with a trusted adult or school counselor.
Warning Signs
Children rarely tell adults outright when cyberbullying is happening. Instead, look for clusters of behavioral, emotional, and academic red flags.
- Sudden shifts in device habits
- Big emotions right after going online
- Withdrawing from friends or slipping grades
Device & secrecy clues ▾
Emotional & physical clues ▾
Social & academic clues ▾
One sign alone doesn’t prove cyberbullying, but a pattern should spark calm, open-ended questions and supportive follow-up.
Prevention Strategies
Strong relationships and smart tech settings are the best defenses. Weave these practices into everyday family life.
- Talk early & often about online life
- Create a family media plan together
- Teach critical thinking & privacy basics
Everyday communication & planning ▾
Digital skills & safety tools ▾
Model, Act & Report ▾
- Model healthy habits—put phones away at dinner, take social breaks, avoid posting gossip32
- Coach “upstander” skills: support peers, refuse to forward hurtful content, speak up when someone is targeted35
- Document problems quickly (screenshots, dates, times) and follow school or platform reporting channels33
- Align household rules with school policies and community programs for consistent messaging33
Preventive steps work best when they become routine—short, frequent conversations beat one big lecture.
If Your Child is Being Bullied
Stay calm and walk through these steps together—each one helps protect your child and limits further harm.
Document
Capture proof quickly before it disappears.
Checklist ▾
- Take screenshots of messages, images, usernames, dates, and times.36
- Save URLs or direct links to offending posts.38
- Note platforms, game titles, or chat apps involved.36
- Record witness names or anyone copied on group chats.37
- Back up files to cloud or external drive; avoid editing originals.36
- Log the child’s emotional or physical reactions (e.g., lost sleep).37
Report
Alert platforms, schools, or law enforcement fast.
Checklist ▾
- Use the platform’s “Report” or “Block” tools (attach screenshots).36
- Copy confirmation numbers or email receipts for your records.36
- Notify the school counselor or principal if students are involved.36
- Escalate to law enforcement for threats, sexual content, or doxxing.36
- Share only the evidence—don’t repost hurtful content publicly.37
- Follow up within 48 hours; resend evidence if needed.37
Support
Rebuild safety and confidence after the incident.
Checklist ▾
- Listen without judgment; validate feelings before advising.37
- Brainstorm coping tactics—exercise, art, offline friends.37
- Adjust privacy settings and friend lists together.36
- Schedule check-ins to monitor mood, sleep, and schoolwork.37
- Seek professional help if anxiety or depression persists (988, counselor).37
- Celebrate upstander moments—praise your child for seeking help.36
If Your Child is Bullying Others
Bullying behavior can change. Walk through these steps together—each one guides your child toward accountability and growth.
Recognize
Stay calm and gather the full picture first.
Checklist ▾
- Listen to reports from teachers, parents, or the target’s family without interrupting.39
- Ask your child to describe what happened; avoid yes/no questions.40
- Collect evidence (screenshots, messages) to confirm details.39
- Note any patterns—times, platforms, peer pressure.41
- Reflect on possible triggers: stress, conflict, or copying peers.40
Address
Set clear rules and teach empathy right away.
Checklist ▾
- State why the behavior is unacceptable and outline immediate consequences.39
- Discuss impact on the victim—use “How would you feel if…?” prompts.40
- Practice replacement skills: respectful messaging, conflict resolution.40
- Role-play responding to peers who encourage bullying.41
- Involve school staff or counselors to reinforce expectations.39
Repair
Help them make amends and prevent repeat incidents.
Checklist ▾
- Guide your child to apologize sincerely—written or face-to-face, if safe.40
- Remove or edit harmful posts; ensure blocking tools prevent further harm.41
- Monitor online activity & emotional cues for at least 30 days.39
- Schedule check-ins with school and, if needed, a mental-health professional.40
- Celebrate positive steps (kind posts, bystander actions).41
Device Safety Settings for Families
iOS Parental Controls
iOS 17 Setup Guide
Why this matters: Establishes healthy device routines and boundaries.
- Add child to Family Sharing. On the parent iPhone open Settings › Family › Add Member (or choose the child) and follow the prompts.
- Turn on Screen Time & set a passcode. Go to Settings › Screen Time › [child], tap Turn On Screen Time, choose “This is My Child’s iPhone,” then create a 4-digit Screen Time passcode that’s different from the device unlock code.
- Schedule Downtime. In Screen Time tap Downtime › Scheduled, pick a start/end time (e.g., 9 PM–7 AM) and enable Block at Downtime.
- Set App Limits. Screen Time › App Limits › Add Limit, select categories/apps, set a daily limit (e.g., 1 hour) and tap Add.
Why this matters: Limits who kids can talk to and warns them about risky content.
- Configure Communication Limits. Screen Time › Communication Limits, decide who the child can contact during allowed time and downtime (e.g., Contacts Only).
- Choose “Always Allowed” apps. Screen Time › Always Allowed, keep essentials (Phone, Messages) and remove browsers/games you don’t want accessible 24/7.
- Turn on Communication Safety & Screen Distance. Screen Time › Communication Safety → On (nudity warnings); on supported models enable Screen Distance to remind kids not to hold the phone too close.
Why this matters: Prevents surprise bills and blocks adult material.
- Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions. Screen Time › Content & Privacy Restrictions → On, then adjust:
- Web Content → Limit Adult Websites
- App Store Purchases → In-App Purchases = Don’t Allow
- Allowed Apps → Hide Safari or Mail if desired
- Enable “Ask to Buy” & block in-app purchases. Settings › Family › [child] › Ask to Buy → Require Purchase Approval. Also ensure In-App Purchases = Don’t Allow (Content & Privacy › App Store Purchases).
Android Controls
Android 13/14 Family Link Guide
Why this matters: Links your child’s account and sets core time boundaries.
- Add child with Google Family Link. On the parent phone, install or open Google Family Link and tap Add child. Follow the prompts to create or link the child’s Google Account. On the child phone, sign in via Settings › Passwords & accounts.
- Turn on daily screen-time limits. In the Family Link parent app, select your child → Screen time › Daily Limit; set total hours allowed (e.g., 2 h).
- Set a bedtime (“curfew”). In the same Screen time menu, tap Bedtime; choose start/end times (e.g., 9 PM–7 AM).
- Add per-app timers. On the child phone, open Settings › Digital Wellbeing; choose an app → Set timer, then pick daily minutes (e.g., 30 m).
Why this matters: Minimises distractions during sleep and study.
- Turn on Bedtime mode. Settings › Digital Wellbeing › Bedtime mode; schedule sleep hours and enable Keep screen dark and Do Not Disturb.
- Use Focus mode for homework. Settings › Digital Wellbeing › Focus mode; select distracting apps to pause, then tap Turn on now or set a schedule.
Why this matters: Blocks inappropriate material and surprise spending.
- Lock Google Play with content filters. In Family Link → child → Controls › Google Play; set age ratings for Apps & Games, Movies, Books, etc., then create a PIN so kids can’t change the filters.
- Require parent approval for purchases. Family Link → child → Controls › Google Play › Purchase approvals; set All content.
- Enable or lock SafeSearch. Family Link → child → Controls › Google Search; ensure SafeSearch = Filter.
- View location & device info. In Family Link, tap Location to see the device on a map or play a sound.
Adult Content Protection
Having Difficult Conversations
Talking openly about sexually-explicit material is uncomfortable for most parents, yet kids are encountering it much earlier—and far more often—than many adults realize. A 2023 Common Sense Media study found that 73 % of U.S. teens (13-17 yrs) have watched pornography online; more than half had done so by age 13, and 15 % before age 11. Because the internet rarely filters for accuracy, kindness, or consent, early, honest conversations at home are the best “seat-belt” we can give children navigating explicit content online.
Specific Risks to Address
- Sexting & non-consensual image sharing – even “private” snaps can be saved, forwarded, or used for extortion; victims often report long-term shame and anxiety.
- Revenge porn / image-based abuse – distributing intimate images without permission (including deep-fake or AI-generated nudes) is now illegal in every U.S. state; new federal and state laws allow rapid takedown and civil damages.
- AI-generated explicit content & deepfakes – realistic synthetic images can target or impersonate minors; parents should know how to report and remove this material.
- Predatory grooming & sexual coercion – adults may exploit chat apps or gaming platforms to build trust before requesting sexual content; teach children to flag any request for secrecy or sexual images.
Age-Appropriate Conversations
| Stage | Key Messages | Suggested Starters |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary (≈ 6–10 yrs) | Bodies are private and deserve respect; Not all pictures or videos are meant for kids—tell me if you see something “weird”. | “Have you ever seen a picture online that made you feel yucky or confused? Let’s talk about it.” |
| Middle School (≈ 11–13 yrs) | What pornography is and why it doesn’t show real-life relationships; Pressures to send nudes & how to refuse safely. | “What do your friends think about sending nudes? How would you handle it if someone asked you?” |
| High School (≈ 14–18 yrs) | Consent, respect, and the law (sharing sexual images of minors is a crime—even if both are teens); Porn myths vs. healthy intimacy. | “Videos online are scripted and often disrespectful—how do you think they shape people’s expectations in real life?” |
Conversation Tips
- Stay calm & curious. Kids are more likely to open up when they feel heard, not judged.
- Use real-world hooks. News about a celebrity deep-fake or a new law can jump-start discussion.
- Clarify values over rules. Explain why respect and consent matter, not just “because I said so.”
- Keep it ongoing. One big talk won’t do—check in periodically as your child’s questions evolve.
- Point to escape hatches. If your child ever receives or is shown explicit material, they should:
- Close the screen → take a screenshot if safe
- Tell a trusted adult immediately
- Use reporting/takedown tools like Take It Down or the platform’s “Report Image” option.
Where to Get Help
- Immediate removal & support: TakeItDown.gov (rapid removal of intimate images for U.S. minors).
- AI-generated abuse guidance: American Academy of Pediatrics “Deepfakes & Synthetic Porn” parent tips.
- 24/7 crisis lines: Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line).
Equipping kids with facts, empathy, and an exit plan turns an awkward topic into a cornerstone of digital safety—and shows them you’re a trusted ally when things online get complicated.
Safe Social Media
Risks & Benefits of Social Media
Why this matters: Social media can boost connection and creativity yet also threaten teens’ mental health and privacy—balanced guidance builds lifelong digital wellbeing.
Positive aspects for tweens & teens ▾
Key risks to monitor ▾
Setting realistic expectations
Platform-Specific Safety
Why this matters: Quick access to each platform’s safety hub lets families apply controls consistently and revisit them as kids’ needs evolve.
Bookmark each hub for quarterly check-ins.