Parents’ guide to keeping kids and teens safe online

Online time is a fact of life for many families, including kids. Just like out in the real world, parents want to keep their kids safe online, too, but the ever-changing internet landscape can feel daunting. Still, there are cyber safety practices you can use to help protect kids from inappropriate content, online predators, malware, and scams. 

Use our guide to internet safety to get top technology and education tips to help your kids stay smart and safe online. 

Common online dangers for kids and teens

The internet’s a big part of daily life for kids and teens, whether they’re doing homework, playing games, or chatting with friends. But not everything they run into online is safe or age-appropriate. Some risks are obvious, while others can fly under the radar. Here are a few things to watch for:

• Cyberbullying from peers or strangers

• Inappropriate or explicit content

• Online predators pretending to be friends

• Phishing scams or trick messages

• Oversharing on social media

• Malware or spyware from downloads or pop-ups

• Harmful online challenges or trends

• Pressure to spend money in games or apps

Discuss these risks early to help kids know what to look out for and when to seek your help.

7 ways to help keep your kids safe online

You don’t need to be a tech expert to help your child stay safe on the internet. A mix of smart habits, simple tools, and open conversations can go a long way. These strategies are easy to implement and effective whether your child is just starting to explore the web or already chatting, streaming, and scrolling.

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1. Go online together

Sit with your child while they use the internet, especially when they’re young and just getting started. You can play games together, look at a family member’s social media, or watch family-friendly YouTube videos. This gives you a chance to teach them smart behavior, talk through questions, and see what kinds of content or ads they’re exposed to. 

2. Keep devices in shared spaces

Put computers, tablets, gaming consoles, and internet access points in central locations in your house. Remove the expectation of privacy early on when it comes to their online activity. This helps normalize visibility and creates natural opportunities for check-ins without making your child feel policed.

3. Use parental controls and filters

Parental controls are now built into computers, mobile devices, internet service providers, app stores, social media sites, and games. But you need to activate and customize them. 

You can adjust privacy settings to create parameters around screen time and what websites kids can visit, and even set mobile devices to prompt you to approve new apps they want to download.

4. Teach your kids what’s safe to share

Discuss with your kids early on what constitutes sensitive information, including full names, phone numbers, addresses, passwords, and photos. This can help protect them from identity theft, phishing scams, cyberbullies, and online predators. 

It's also a good idea to remind them that anything shared online (even in a private chat!) can be saved, shared, or made publicly accessible without their consent.

5. Encourage them to speak up if something feels wrong

Let your child know they can come to you (or another trusted adult) if they feel uncomfortable, scared, or confused by something they saw online. Even if they break a rule, your support matters more than punishment. 

Remind them that not everyone tells the truth about who they are online, and it’s always OK to say no, block someone, or walk away from a conversation that doesn’t feel right.

6. Help kids recognize red flags

Understanding the most common scams and how they work can thwart most other security risks. Teach your kids to be cautious with unknown links, strange messages, or overly personal questions. If someone they met online asks to talk privately, offers gifts, or makes them keep secrets, those are signs to stop and get help.

7. Protect your devices and computers 

The internet is full of malware and computer viruses that can damage your devices, mine your data, or spy on you and your kids. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your computer running smoothly and free from spyware. 

Operating systems (OS) are regularly updated with new features and security patches. Make sure your OS and all your software are up to date to limit system vulnerabilities. Antivirus software can also add a layer of protection. 

Keep kids safe online 

Teaching your kids internet safety is as important as keeping them safe outside. As we spend more of our lives online, understanding how to navigate malware, scams, and predators becomes increasingly vital. By teaching your kids to keep their devices updated, having them carefully select their social network, and keeping personal information private, the internet can become a safer space for your kids. 

Maximize built-in safety tools

Safety apps like Greenlight, built especially for teens and families, offer extra peace of mind, including:   

• Identity theft protection: Theft monitoring, alerting, and restoration for the whole family***. 

• Cell phone protection: Coverage for damaged, lost, or stolen phones for up to 5 kids.** 

• Purchase protection: Repair or replace Greenlight purchases that are stolen or damaged.**

As kids grow, you can add age-appropriate protections, such as crash detection, SOS alerts, and location sharing*. When they’re ready, Greenlight helps kids learn how to save, budget, and invest, with full parental control. 

FAQs

At what age should I start talking to my kids about internet safety?

As soon as they start using a device! Even toddlers watching YouTube can benefit from learning what’s OK to click and what’s not.

How can I tell if my child is being cyberbullied?

Watch for signs like mood swings, withdrawal, secrecy around devices, or sudden changes in sleep or school habits. If something feels off, ask gently and listen closely.

Should I allow my child to have social media accounts?

It depends on their age, maturity, and your family’s boundaries. Most platforms have a minimum age of 13. If you allow it, set privacy settings together and follow their activity.

What should my child do if they see inappropriate content online?

Teach them to close the tab or app, and tell a trusted adult right away. Let them know they won’t be in trouble. You just want them to be safe.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.

*Requires mobile data or a WiFi connection, and access to sensory and motion data from cellphone to utilize family location sharing, SOS alerts and crash detection features. Messaging and data rates and other terms may apply.

**Provided by Virginia Surety Company, Inc., cell phone protection is not available to 

***Insurance offered by Acrisure, LLC is provided by ACE American Insurance Company and its U.S.-based Chubb underwriting company affiliates. www.chubb.com. Additional details can be viewed here. See link for policy information. Insurance Products are not insured by the FDIC or any federal government agency and are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by, any bank or bank affiliate.

***Premium monitoring services are offered by Experian.