The internet is now as crucial to family life as water and electricity. Kids get their homework done with it, parents conduct work on it and we all stream “Stranger Things” together on Friday nights. But this digital playground contains hidden threats that can take families by surprise.
Cyberbullying, identity theft, inappropriate content and online predators are hiding in places the web where our children spend hours everyday. The good news? Protecting your family doesn’t require being an expert in tech. The vast majority of internet safety issues have easy fixes that can be implemented in an afternoon.
This guide provides you with eleven useful solutions that tackle the biggest risks your family is likely to encounter online. All the solutions are designed to work rapidly and don’t necessitate special technical skills. That option would help get your family safer online, starting today.
Why You Need To Teach Your Kids Internet Safety Now More Than Ever
The average child now spends more than seven hours daily on screens. That’s more time than they spend sleeping. They face dangers that never existed a generation ago in those hours.
Recent research is indicating that 59% of teenagers have been victims of cyberbullying. Twenty percent of children have been approached by a stranger online. These are not isolated events — they happen every day to families in countries across the globe.
Tech has a way of making parents feel like they’re lost in space with all its innovation and speeds. Apps keep coming, and kids stay one step ahead. But defending your family doesn’t entail mastering every platform. It means putting in intelligent so-called guardrails that function across all devices and circumstances.
Fix #1: Use Parental Controls on Every Device
Parental controls should be your first defense. Consider them digital seat belts — quick, primitive tools that can help save lives.
How to Get Started
Parental controls are built into most devices. On iPhones and iPads, you’ll find “Screen Time” in the settings. Android devices offer “Family Link.” Windows PCs include “Family Safety” and Macs have the feature “Screen Time.”
These tools let you:
- Block inappropriate websites
- Set time limits for apps
- Prevent unauthorized purchases
- Track your child’s location
- Filter search results
The 10-Minute Setup
Choose one device and complete setup before moving on to the next. Begin with your child’s phone, as that is also likely to be their main access point to the internet. Set age-appropriate parameters — what might be appropriate for a 7-year-old will not make the cut for a 15-year-old.
Nor should we forget gaming consoles, smart TVs and tablets. They can be easy to forget about, but kids frequently use them to check social media and surf the web.
Fix #2: Establish Good Password Habits
Weak passwords are the digital equivalent of leaving your front door unlocked. The automated tools that hackers use can break very simple passwords in just seconds.
The Password Problem
Passwords like “password123” or your birth date are not adopted by most people. These are under a second to crack. Worse still, many families use the same password for more than one account. You get hacked once, and they all go down.
Building Better Passwords
Teach your loved ones to craft passwords that are:
- At least 12 characters long
- Mix uppercase and lowercase letters
- Include numbers and symbols
- Avoid personal information
- Unique for each account
Here’s a simple one: Take a sentence, use the first words of each word (add numbers and symbols!). “My daughter Emma was born in 2015!” becomes “MdEwbi2015!”
Password Managers Save Time
You use a password manager (such as Bitwarden, 1Password or LastPass) to remember passwords for you. Only THE MASTER PASSWORD has to be known by YOUR family. They also generate ultra-strong random passwords on-the-fly also.
Fix #3: Turn on Two-Factor Authentication Across the Board
Based on the 2FA acronym, you can think of two-factor authentication (2FA) as a second lock for your accounts. Even if someone steals your password, they won’t get in without the second confirmation step.
How It Works
You are prompted to enter a code sent via text message, email or authenticator app after you enter your password. You need the password as well as this code to access the account.
Where to Turn It On
Enable 2FA on:
- Email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo)
- Social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat)
- Banking and payment apps
- Cloud (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox)
- Gaming accounts (Xbox, PlayStation, Steam)
Most services make this easy. Review the security or privacy safeguards to see what it has on “Two-Factor Authentication” or “Two-Step Verification.”
Solution #4: Discuss Cyberbullying Before It Occurs
You can’t avoid every problem, but you can help your children deal with them. Cyberbullying is different from traditional bullying because it follows kids home and never stops: It can happen 24/7.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Children experiencing cyberbullying often:
- Suddenly avoid their devices
- Seem anxious after being online
- Withdraw from friends and activities
- Demonstrate alterations in eating or sleeping habits
- Experience declining grades
The Three-Step Response
Teach your kids to:
1. Don’t respond: Bullies want reactions. Responding fuels the fire.
2. Keep records of everything: Screenshot messages, posts, and comments. This also forms proof should you have to call in authorities.
3. Report and block: Utilize the platform’s reporting tools and block the bully. Then tell a trusted adult.
Make yourself the trusted adult. Establish an environment in which your children are able to report problems safely even if that means occasional device restrictions.
Solution #5: Double-Check Social Media Privacy Settings
Social media sites gather vast amounts of personal data. However, default settings are often set in the company’s interest — not your privacy.
The Privacy Checkup
Take a half-hour to read through each of the platforms your family uses:
Facebook:
- Restrict audience of your posts (friends only, not public)
- Limit who can look you up by email or phone number
- Turn off facial recognition
- Review app permissions
Instagram:
- Switch to a private account
- Remove location data from posts
- Restrict shares with third-party apps
- Turn off activity status
TikTok:
- Make accounts private
- Disable downloads of your videos
- Restrict comments to friends
- Turn off personalized ads
Snapchat:
- Turn on Ghost Mode to seal location away
- Choose who can contact you
- Limit who can view your Story
- Disable Quick Add
The Annual Review
Privacy settings at social media companies are replaced all the time. Schedule an annual review to be sure you catch new options and close any gaps.
Solution #6: Have Good Antivirus Software Installed
File-destroying viruses, information-stealing malware and device-taking-over ransomware can all be thwarted. Antivirus is that shield which prevents the attack of viruses and malware into users’ systems.
What to Look For
Good antivirus software should:
- Scan files in real-time
- Update automatically
- Protect against phishing
- Include a firewall
- Work across all your devices
Some popular family-friendly choices are Norton 360, Bitdefender and Kaspersky. A number of them provide arrangements that include protection for more than one device under a single subscription.
Beyond Installation
Installing antivirus software isn’t enough. Keep it updated, scan regularly and pay attention to warning messages. Teach kids to never disable antivirus protection, even if a game or app tells them to.
Fix #7: Create Screen-Free Zones and Times
Internet safety isn’t just about blocking the bad stuff — it’s about teaching your kids to make thoughtful decisions about what they say and do online.
Creating Balance
Too much screen time is associated with sleep disturbances, obesity, anxiety and depression. Establishing boundaries leads to healthier tech relationships for kids.
Effective Boundaries
Consider these screen-free rules:
Screen-Free Zones:
- Bedrooms (prevents phones from disturbing sleep)
- Dinner table (promotes family conversation)
- Bathrooms (reduces mindless scrolling)
Screen-Free Times:
- One hour before bedtime
- During family meals
- The first hour in the morning
- When doing homework (unless required for assignments)
Leading by Example
Children mirror their parents’ behavior. Your rules won’t stick if you’re constantly on your phone. Maintain the same boundaries you put in place for your kids.
Fix #8: Teach Smart Sharing Practice
The internet remembers everything. A thing that’s posted in jest can reach out to someone years later.
The Permanent Record
Once it’s online, it’s out of your hands. Screenshots go viral, and “deleted” content frequently turns out to be available anyway. Social media is raising the bar for what’s considered private. College admissions officers and would-be employers are routinely screening applicants by looking them up on social networks.
The Before-You-Post Checklist
Teach children to ask themselves:
- Is this something I would want my grandmother to look at?
- Will I look back on this in five years and cringe?
- Does this reveal personal information?
- Is this something someone could use against me?
- Am I spreading somebody’s personal information?
Personal Information to Keep Private
Never share:
- Full name (particularly with location)
- Home address
- Phone number
- School name
- Vacation plans (wait till you are home)
- Photos with house numbers or landmarks
- Birth date (especially the year)
- Social Security number
Fix #9: Monitor Without Spying
Balancing their child’s safety with recognition of their privacy is a quandary faced by every parent. You have to protect your children without breaking trust.
The Open Device Policy
Tell your kids you’ll be doing spot checks of their devices. This need not, actually, be sneaky; it can simply be a rule in your house. Younger children require more monitoring than teenagers, of course. But everyone deserves some privacy.
What to Check
Focus on:
- Recent messages and posts
- Friend lists and followers
- Apps they’ve downloaded
- Search history
- Photos and videos
Random vs. Scheduled
Some families like to schedule regular monthly check-ins. Others do random spot checks. Both ways are fine, as long as your kids know that monitoring takes place.
If you find something disturbing, discuss it with them calmly. It’s to lead, not to punish. Overreacting will only cause children to hide things more effectively not behave better.
Solution #10: Turn Safe Search and Content Filters On
Search engines can hijack the seemingly innocent searches and surface disturbing content. Safe search filters stop explicit results before you see them.
Activating Safe Search
Google:
- Go to google.com/preferences
- Scroll to SafeSearch filters
- Check “Turn on SafeSearch”
- Lock it (requires sign-in)
Bing:
- Click Settings
- Select SafeSearch
- Choose Strict
- Save settings
YouTube:
- Sign in to YouTube
- Scroll to the bottom of a page
- Click Restricted Mode
- Toggle it on
Router-Level Filtering
For whole-home protection, install filtering on your wifi router. Services such as OpenDNS or CleanBrowsing filter all devices on your network, so you don’t have to configure individual gadgets manually. This will catch devices you forget to set up separately.
Fix #11: Update All Software
New features keep coming, but software updates can do more than simply add features. They fix security holes that hackers exploit.
Why Updates Matter
Good news for cybercriminals who prowl the Internet looking for old insecure software. When flaws are found, companies issue updates to patch them up. To not update your computers and gadgets is to leave them exposed to known attacks.
Automating Updates
Enable automatic updates for:
- Operating systems (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android)
- Web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
- Apps and programs
- Antivirus software
- Router firmware
Manually check on router updates every couple months, as most don’t automatically update. Well, you could login to your router’s admin panel and check firmware updates.
Building a Family Safety Plan
Individual fixes work better as part of a comprehensive safety plan. Here’s how to bring everything together.
The Family Meeting
Bring everyone together for a conversation about safety and technology. Tell them online safety is for the entire family, not just children. Ask everyone their input on rules and boundaries.
Written Agreement
Develop a family internet safety contract that includes:
- Approved websites and apps
- Screen time limits
- Privacy rules
- Consequences for violations
- Emergency procedures
You make everybody sign it and you stick it up where everyone can see it.
Regular Updates
Technology changes quickly. Our family will gather quarterly to talk about:
- New apps or websites
- Changing rules for growing children
- Recent online experiences
- Questions or concerns
When Something Goes Wrong, Here’s What to Do
Even when all is properly taken care of, mistakes happen. A response plan helps minimize panic and damage.
Immediate Steps
If your child comes across improper content:
- Keep calm—how you respond is key
- Remove access to the content
- Discuss what occurred without playing the blame game
- Report the material to the social media platform
- Adjust filters to prevent recurrence
When to Involve Authorities
Contact police if you encounter:
- Child exploitation material
- Threats of violence
- Stalking or harassment
- Financial scams targeting your family
- Identity theft
Save all evidence before reporting. Investigators say screenshots and messages, along with account details, aid them in unraveling trends. For more comprehensive guidance on protecting your family online, visit the Internet Safety Guide for additional resources and expert tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the right age for a child to get his or her first phone?
A: There’s no perfect age. Take into account your child’s age, maturity level and the extent to which he or she needs a phone, as well as whether your child follows rules. Most experts say to wait at least until middle school. First train them with the basic phones before moving to smartphones. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, readiness depends more on individual development than a specific age.
Q: How much screen time is too much?
A: No screen time for children under 18 months (except video chatting), plus one hour a day of high-quality programming for those ages 2 to 5 years. The quality of the content itself matters more than the amount — that is, educational material beats mindless scrolling.
Q: Is it okay for me to monitor my child’s private messages?
A: Younger children should have less privacy than older teenagers. Only read patterns, don’t read all messages. If you fear danger, sure, read messages. As an alternative, spot-check from time to time and talk about any patterns you’ve observed.
Q: What if my child does not want to use those kinds of parental controls?
A: Device use should be contingent upon accepting controls. No controls means no device. Point out that safety is not open for negotiation, yet you’re willing to decrease restrictions as they prove themselves responsible.
Q: How can I stay on top of new apps and trends?
A: Follow technology news websites, participate on parent forums and inquire of your children what their favorite apps are. Many platforms provide parent guides that outline features and risks.
Q: Do free antivirus programs work?
A: Free versions do offer minimum protection, though often not the full complement of features compared with premium offerings — parental controls, identity theft protection and VPN service among them. For complete family protection the reality is that paid versions are more cost-effective.
Taking Action Today
Internet safety doesn’t require perfection. Begin with one or two fixes and work from there. Even modest improvements drastically cut your family’s risk.
Most important is to begin. Choose the fix that’s most important to you, whether it be locking down parental controls or talking about cyberbullying. Do one thing today, a second tomorrow, and in two weeks you’ll have revolutionized your family’s digital safety.
Just keep in mind that technology exists to work for your family, not dominate it. These 11 fixes provide you with the tools necessary to establish a safer, healthier digital domain in which everyone can take advantage of the internet without succumbing to its perils.
Your kids are coming of age in a connected world. The skills and habits you instill in them now will shield them for decades to come. That makes anything you do in internet safety a good investment of your time.
Keep engaged and keep informed and connected to your family, both online and offline. Together, you’ll be navigating the digital world safely and successfully.
