The internet has opened up endless opportunities for learning and entertainment, but it also comes with risks that can impact your child’s safety. As a parent or guardian, it’s crucial to understand these risks and how to protect your child from them.
As a parent of three young kids, I’ve decided to write a series on kids’ online safety – sharing what I’ve learned through research, the tools I use, and other helpful cybersecurity and privacy tips and tactics for the child in your life.
In this first post of the series, let’s review some common online dangers, a few popular parental control tools (some of which I use), and helpful resources for keeping your kids safe.
Online Risks Kids Face
First, I’m not a psychologist, and I’m not here to tell you how to manage your kids screen time. I’m a parent of three young kids, so I’ve poured through quite a bit of studies – I encourage you to do the same. The stats vary from one study to another, but I’ve found that on average, kids aged 8-12 in the U.S. can spend 4-6 hours a day watching or using screens, and teens can spend up to 9 hours.
You may be in a situation similar to my family where some of this includes legit use for school and other learning activities. Regardless, it’s clear that our kids are highly exposed digitally, so it’s essential for parents to be aware of the dangers lurking online. Remember, it’s all about context. The Dana Foundation has a really interesting article on the study of screen time you should check out (link in Resources below).
Let’s take a quick look at some of the risks our kids face online. I’m using a lot of stats from Bark on this, because their annual report uses actual data from their platform usage and is some of the most up-to-date stats I’ve found (full report linked below).
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is a widespread issue. A recent report from Bark (link below), a parental control tool that I’ve also used, found that 67% of tweens (children aged 8-12) and 76% of teens have experienced bullying online. This can take many forms, from nasty comments to more serious threats and harassment. Constant exposure to such behavior can lead to depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Depression and Suicidal Thoughts
Online interactions can have a direct impact on your child’s mental health. According to Bark’s 2023 data, 33% of tweens and 57% of teens were involved in conversations that indicated depression or thoughts of suicide. This statistic really stresses the need for us parents to be vigilant and take any warning signs seriously.
Exposure to Sexual Content
More than half of kids come across sexual content online, often unintentionally. Bark’s report shows that 58% of tweens and 75% of teens encountered explicit material. This exposure can occur through web searches, messages, or unsolicited photos and can negatively affect your child’s understanding of healthy relationships and body image.
Online Predators
Predators often use social media and chat platforms to approach minors, usually pretending to be peers (similar age, interests, etc.). Bark identified 8% of tweens and 10% of teens who had conversations flagged as potentially predatory. These situations are particularly dangerous because predators can easily build trust and manipulate children into sharing personal information.
Substance Use
Conversations about drugs and alcohol are becoming more common among children and teens. In Bark’s report, 58% of tweens and 77% of teens were exposed to these topics. Children might see their peers discussing substance use or come across content that normalizes drug and alcohol use.
Privacy Concerns
Children are increasingly at risk when it comes to their privacy online. There is some legislation in the U.S. (COPPA) that addresses some privacy, but it’s dated. As of this writing, there are a couple of new bills (COPPA 2.0 and KOSA) that are currently going through the motions in Congress. Regardless of what Congress does, it’s ultimately your job to teach your kids online safety when it comes to sharing personal information.
Best Parental Control Tools
Parental controls can help you monitor your kid’s online activity, set usage limits, and restrict access to inappropriate content. I’m a firm believer in using the native parental controls built into the device ecosystem your family uses (Apple, Android, Amazon, Microsoft, etc.). If you find yourself with a mix of different devices (maybe the dad or mom has an iPhone and the kids have Android tablets), then a third-party tool may be best for you.
Here’s a look at some of the most popular tools available.
Apple Screen Time (Native)
Apple’s Screen Time, available on iPhones and iPads, lets you track your child’s app usage, set time limits, and block specific content, and more. Parents can also schedule “Downtime” periods, during which only certain apps are accessible. The settings can be shared across devices using the same Apple ID, making it easy to manage multiple devices. You can view reports on usage as well. Note: Use Family Sharing to get the full benefits and remote management of devices. [link]
Google Family Link (Native)
Google Family Link is a free app for Android devices that helps you monitor app usage, approve or block downloads, and set screen time limits. You can also track your child’s location and lock devices remotely. You can view your child’s digital habits by showing activity reports. [link]
Amazon Parent Dashboard (Native)
Amazon Parent Dashboard is designed for Amazon devices like Fire tablets and Kindle e-readers. It offers a kid-friendly interface, allowing parents to manage content access, set screen time limits, and restrict web browsing. The Amazon Kids+ subscription provides additional access to books, movies, and apps tailored to various ages. Two of my kids have these devices with a Kids subscription, and I’m pleased with the controls and content. [link]
Bark (Third Party)
This is a good third-party solution if you don’t (or can’t) use native tools like mentioned above. Bark monitors messages, emails, and social media interactions for signs of issues like cyberbullying, sexual content, or suicidal thoughts. It provides real-time alerts to parents, helping them address problems before they escalate. Bark is known for its extensive monitoring capabilities, covering over 30 different apps and platforms. [link]
Qustodio (Third Party)
Qustodio is a versatile parental control app that supports a wide range of devices and platforms. It allows parents to monitor activity, set daily screen time limits, and block inappropriate content. With detailed reports and the ability to block apps or websites, Qustodio is a comprehensive solution for families looking to protect their children. [link]
Norton Family (Third Party)
Norton Family offers web supervision, app blocking, and screen time management. It also features “School Time,” which restricts access to non-educational content during designated hours, making it a good option for families navigating digital learning. [link]
NOTE: Regardless of the tool you use, be sure and read the privacy policy and terms of use for any controls you enable. Be informed of what data is being collected, stored, and how it is used!
Best Practices for Parents
Even with parental controls, you have to maintain open communication and establish clear rules for online behavior. Here are some tips for keeping your child safe online:
- Talk About Online Safety: Start discussions early about what’s safe to share and who to talk to online. Train your child to come to you if they encounter something uncomfortable.
- Set Clear Guidelines: Create a family agreement that outlines what’s acceptable in terms of screen time and content. Review it regularly as your child grows and adjust. Use your parental controls to enforce this agreement.
- Monitor Activity: Use parental controls to stay informed about your child’s online habits, but also periodically review their device history and discuss their activities.
- Educate About Privacy: Teach your child about privacy settings and why they shouldn’t share personal information, even with people they know online.
- Model Good Behavior: Show your child healthy screen habits, like taking breaks and prioritizing face-to-face interactions over digital ones. This is important!
Resources for Parents
Here are some resources, some of which I mention above in my post:
- Common Sense Media: Reviews apps, games, and websites, and provides advice on how to navigate the digital world with your child.
- Bark’s Annual Report: Detailed data and analysis on what kids are facing online, from cyberbullying to exposure to harmful content.
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC): Tools and resources for reporting and preventing online exploitation.
- ConnectSafely: Research-based safety tips and guides for parents, educators, and kids.
- NetSmartz: Interactive activities and resources to teach kids about online safety in an engaging way.
- Insight: The Truth About Research on Screen Time (Dana Foundation)
Conclusion
Protecting your kids online requires a proactive and informed approach. By understanding common threats, using parental controls, and staying engaged with your kid’s online life, you can help create a safer environment. And remember, this is a continuous process! With the right tools and knowledge, you can guide your child through the digital world confidently.