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How to Keep Your Child Safe Online Without Hovering Over Their Shoulder 📱


If you’re a parent, it’s completely normal to feel uneasy about what your child might come across online. The internet is brilliant for learning, creativity and connection - but it also exposes kids to cyberbullying, harmful content and the pressure to look or live a certain way, which can affect their mental health and self-esteem. It's only natural to want to shield our children, but having complete oversight of their online activity is challenging, particularly as they mature and engage with social media (whether permitted or not).


You can’t control every click, scroll or algorithm. What you can do is help your child build the awareness and confidence to navigate the online world safely.

Here’s how to start.


1. Get to know what they’re in to, normalise having conversations about the internet 


Ask what games they’re playing, which creators they like, or what’s trending at school. The more normal these conversations feel, the easier it is for them to tell you when something’s wrong.


2. Plan tricky conversations before diving in


If you discover they’re using an unsafe app or behaving in a risky way, take a breath first. Kids respond better when you’re calm and clear about why something worries you.


3. Explain what “personal information” really means


Help them understand what counts as personal information - location tags, school name, birthday, photos - and why sharing this information can be dangerous. And remind them that once something is online, it can be shared, saved or screenshotted forever.


4. Walk them through privacy settings


Even if you think you know all their accounts, show them how to:

  • Switch to private

  • Block and report

  • Manage who can message or follow them

These skills matter whether you’re supervising their accounts or not.


5. Talk about how social media distorts reality


Filters, editing apps and highlight reels can warp how young people see themselves and others. Help them understand that what they see online isn’t the full story - and often isn’t real at all.

Social media filters are getting more and more popular, especially amongst young girls. Research from Dove’s Self-Esteem Project found that 80 percent of girls have downloaded a filter or used an app to change how they look in photos by age 13. 


6. Discuss cyberbullying openly


Cyberbullying can follow young people home, making it feel impossible to escape. Explain what it looks like and reassure them they won’t be in trouble for telling you. You could also create a plan together, just in case they ever do experience cyberbullying. Here are some helpful tips to get you started:


  • Avoid retaliating as this can give the bully more opportunity to engage and drag out the abuse.

  • Document any online abuse or harassment by taking screenshots.

  • Block and report the people who are harassing them on social media.

  • Tell an adult, either you as their parent, a teacher or depending on the severity of the situation, the police.


7. Set boundaries that make sense for their age


Screen-free meals, no phones at bedtime, or agreed daily limits can help protect their mental health. It can be hard when others may have different rules, but starting these habits early will help normalise it, and prevent it from feeling restrictive. 


8. Model the behaviour you want to see


Young people copy what they see, so if you’re scrolling through dinner or sharing photos online, they’ll assume it’s fine. Show them what healthy digital habits look like.


Head over to our digital wellbeing blog with more advice and downloads for you and your child.




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