As we approach the summer months when many kids are out of school and spend more time interacting with others through online gaming and social media, it is key that educators and families remind kids about ways to keep themselves safe online. Most online gaming and social media platforms, even those that are targeted at younger children, facilitate the ability for kids to interact with others online. Families can control the access that kids have to these features and the information that they can share with others. It is essential that families educate themselves about the ways that kids can stay safe on these platforms and have conversations with their kids about the topic.
Tips for Parents/Families:
- Explore the features of the gaming or social media platform that your kids use – create an account or shadow your kid as they use the application to learn more about how it works and what types of interaction are possible
- Learn more about the privacy settings for the platform – all platforms have privacy settings that can limit the scope of interaction that kids have with other people
- Set limits as a family – discuss what is considered appropriate use of the application for your family (e.g. kids can play the online games but not use the chat feature or can chat with others but cannot share their location)
- Monitor use – spot check your kid’s use of the social media or gaming platform or use it along with them to get better insights into their digital habits and choices
Common Sense Education Ultimate Guides for Commonly Used Games and Social Media Apps:
- Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Minecraft
- Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Roblox
- Parent’s Ultimate Guide to Discord
- Parents’ Ultimate Guide to YouTube
- Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Instagram
- Parents’ Ultimate Guide to TikTok
Common Sense Education Resources To Explore as a Family:
- Family Tip Sheet: Help Kids Make Friends and Interact Safely Online
- Video: Teen Voices: Who You’re Talking to Online
Tips for Kids:
- Do not accept all follow or chat requests that come your way – many people (or bots) send out mass follow requests to increase their own followers, spread disinformation/misinformation, or gather personal information
- Be mindful about location sharing – limit the number of people who can see your location to your closest friends and family
- Know how to access the privacy settings for apps and use them – you do not need to share everything with everyone
- Pay attention to your instincts if you detect red flags – if someone starts to ask personal questions or asks for intimate photos, do not share that information or photos with them
- Never agree to meet an online only friend in person unless you have your family’s permission AND have an adult with you
Reporting Suspicious Activity:
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) – CyberTipline
Cybertips are a way to report suspicious activity you may see or experience online involving children. NCMEC helps keep children safe and assists law enforcement in catching predators and identifying victims.
When families have conversations with their kids about safer ways to interact with others online and kids commit to practicing safer and healthier digital habits, online interactions can have positive effects for kids. However, as recent local news highlights, the potential for online interactions to cross into the real world with serious consequences underscores the critical importance of ongoing vigilance. Like all aspects of online safety and digital citizenship, it is key that families and educators lead those conversations, help kids develop plans to stay safe online, and hold them accountable for their online decisions. This includes understanding the platforms their children use, the individuals they interact with, and the importance of keeping personal information private. When those pieces are in place, everyone can rest easier and kids can have a better, and safer, online experience.
