Cybersafety for Your Kids

The internet is an incredible tool — but it also comes with real risks for children and teens. As a parent, you don't have to choose between locking everything down and letting your kids roam freely online. The sweet spot is a combination of the right tools, open communication, and ongoing education.

Start by making a list of your cybersafety concerns. Talk to other parents about what they monitor and the programs they use. And most importantly — have an open conversation with your child about it. Trust is a two-way street. I don't recommend monitoring your child's online activity behind their back. When kids know you're keeping an eye on things, it becomes a shared responsibility rather than a secret surveillance operation.

Parental controls are often bundled with internet security programs and give parents the ability to manage where and for how long their kids are online. Antivirus software helps you deal with issues like spyware, website viruses, and other things your kids may inadvertently download.

Good parental control software lets you:

• Limit screen time — set daily time limits per device or per app
• Filter websites — block categories like adult content, gaming, or streaming
• Monitor social activity — review messages and flag concerning content
• Restrict contacts — limit who your child can communicate with on social platforms
• Set different rules per user — if your family shares a device, each profile can have its own restrictions (just make sure everyone logs out of their own profile!)

Bark is one monitoring program worth looking into. It monitors content across 30+ platforms — texts, emails, and social activity — running quietly in the background and alerting you when something concerning pops up, like signs of cyberbullying, online predators, or self-harm. It can also block websites and set time limits.

What sets Bark apart is its AI-powered content monitoring. Rather than showing you every message your child sends, it only alerts you when something may be wrong — and provides expert-recommended steps for handling the situation. It also includes location sharing so you can keep up with where your child is physically, not just digitally.

Before committing to any parental control tool, ask:

• How many devices can I connect?
• What are the monthly and yearly fees?
• Can I set different limitations per device?
• Is there a free trial period?
• Does it offer GPS tracking?

Some apps, like Mobicip, can even shut off all devices simultaneously — great for family dinners or homework time.

It only takes clicking one suspicious link in an email to compromise your computer, expose your passwords, or give someone access to your private data. Antivirus protection is non-negotiable.

Here's what to do:

• Run regular virus scans on all devices — set them on a schedule so they happen automatically
• Do a deep system scan monthly
• Clear your cookies regularly
• Never click unknown links in emails or texts, even if they look like they're from someone you know

One of the most powerful cybersafety tools you have is your relationship with your child. Talk openly about the dangers, the pitfalls, and your expectations. Include conversations about trust, respect, and what it means to be responsible online.

If a child has lost your trust around device use, one approach is to allow device use only in shared spaces — at the kitchen table while you cook, or on the couch next to you. No devices in bedrooms. Don't share the Wi-Fi password freely. Consider turning off data or Wi-Fi at night.

Help your child learn to verify that the people they're talking to online are who they say they are. If someone claims to be a friend, teach your child to ask questions only that person would know — what class they had together, the name of a pet, etc.

When it comes to online gaming with strangers, the rule is simple: no personal information. No real name, no school, no neighborhood, no friends' names.

Everything your child posts online becomes part of their permanent digital footprint. Once something is shared, uploaded, or made public, it can be used in ways you wouldn't expect or be able to control.

I tell my students: never post anything you wouldn't want your grandma to see. Your posts are permanent. Employers, colleges, and others can and do look at social media profiles.

A few important reminders:

• Be mindful about posting photos of minors without parental consent
• Keep privacy settings on high across all platforms
• Only share with people they know and trust

Almost every app today has geo-tagging features that make your location visible to others. When your child "checks in" somewhere on social media, it tells people exactly where they are — and that they're not at home. Both are vulnerabilities.

Make sure location features are set to private or turned off entirely. Read the fine print on every app your child uses.

The Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines recommend no more than two hours of screen time per day for children ages 5–17. Some practical strategies:

• Agree on session lengths (e.g., 30 minutes) and use a timer
• Make the end time non-negotiable
• Turn off home Wi-Fi at a set time each night before bed
• Try occasional screen-free days to encourage other activities

You can't protect your kids from what you don't understand yourself. Stay informed about the apps they're using, the platforms they're on, and the risks that come with each.

Some practical steps:

• Download every app your child uses so you know what it looks like from the inside
• Friend or follow your child on social platforms so you can see what they're posting
• Check privacy settings on each platform regularly — they change often
• Teach your child how to report inappropriate content, block users, and remove people
• Make sure they know who to come to if something feels wrong online

You can't ask your kids to be responsible online if you're not. Remember — if you've required your child to follow you on social media, they can see what you're posting too. If you're oversharing your location, posting things you wouldn't want them to see, or ignoring your own screen time, they'll notice.

When you're thoughtful and respectful online, your kids are more likely to follow your lead.

The goal isn't to scare your kids — it's to raise them to be smart, safe, and kind online. The internet has so much to offer. Our job is to help our children navigate it with confidence and good judgment.

In my day, parents taught kids not to open the door for strangers or tell a caller their parents weren't home. Now we're teaching an entirely new set of skills. And just when you get really good at them, they'll add a new app or platform to keep you on your toes.

Stay strong. You're doing great.

Resources:

• Things to do to keep kids safe online
• Set up parental controls
• Cybersafety online

Have questions about supporting your child's mental health in the digital age? Reach out to schedule a session — I'd love to help.