Ways To Help Your Teen Stay Safe on the Internet

The internet is an infinite playground of ideas and content. For teens, it can be a way to learn new things, connect with friends around the world, and express themselves in ways that aren’t always easy as an adolescent. That doesn’t mean the internet is completely safe, though. Phishing scams, cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and threats to personal data pose a risk for everyone, especially younger users. As a parent, it’s important for you to address these concerns and talk to your teen about internet safety. Protect your family with these ways to help your teen stay safe on the internet.

Educate About Online Privacy

From browsers tracking your history to websites selling data, online privacy is difficult to preserve. Teaching your teen internet best practices can help them stay safe and private on social media and other websites. One of the most important tips is to avoid sharing personal information, such as their full name, address, phone number, and school details. You should also teach your teen to be cautious about friend requests and interactions with strangers.

Learning about data tracking can also help your teen—and everyone else in your family—keep their information private. You can avoid being tracked online by using private browsers, being careful on public networks, and paying close attention to profile settings and other privacy features.

Teach Critical Thinking

Awareness is one of the best defenses against online threats. As such, teaching critical thinking skills is one of the top ways to help your teen stay safe on the internet. When your child can clearly and thoughtfully evaluate online pages, they’re less likely to fall victim to fake user profiles, false information, and malicious links. This keeps them safe from all manner of cyber threats, including phishing scams, misinformation, and online predators.

Set Clear but Fair Boundaries

One of the biggest risks kids and teens face on the internet is the fact that you can find any kind of content—even if you’re not looking for it. That’s why it’s important to establish guidelines about when and where your teen can browse.

However, as with any boundary, you need to make sure these rules are fair without being overbearing. There are some websites that should be completely off-limits for your teen. But remember, just because you’re not familiar with a site doesn’t mean it’s necessarily dangerous or inappropriate. Talk with your teenager about the sites they visit and why. Open discussions lead to the creation of reasonable boundaries that protect your teen without limiting their burgeoning freedom and independence.