How to Teach Your Kids Online Safety

Nov 10, 2022

While some kids may feel confident that they know how to be safe online, the reality is that they are being directly targeted. It is our job to make sure our kids stay safe in the modern digital age. Find out how you can teach your kids about online safety through our tips at Bridging Freedom.

As it becomes more normalized to introduce technology and social media to younger children, there is a greater need and importance in teaching online safety. With social media and Internet games continuing to grow in popularity, it is becoming easier for online predators to find their victims and sexually exploit them.

If children and teenagers don’t know what to look out for, then they can fall victim to online dangers. Let’s find out more about the types of online dangers, online safety teaching points by age, parental approach to safety, and a FAQ regarding online safety.

Why Kids Online Safety Matters

According to the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens have access to a smartphone, and nearly half say they are online “almost constantly.” Younger children are also engaging online earlier than ever, using educational apps and tablets at home or school.

At the same time, the FBI estimates that over 500,000 predators are active online each day, using games, chat rooms, and social platforms to target minors. These numbers highlight why teaching kids about online safety is no longer optional—it’s a core part of modern parenting.

By educating children early about how to interact safely online, families can help prevent exploitation and empower kids to navigate the internet responsibly.

Types of Online Dangers

Online predators are experts in manipulating and playing mind games with kids in order to sexually exploit them. Sadly, recent statistics from the FBI show that more than half a million online predators are an active danger to children and teenagers. They can manipulate a child or teenager to do what the predator wants by establishing a relationship or instilling shame, fear, gifts, lies, or flattery.

Each of the following online dangers can be used as tactics by online predators to pursue or desensitize kids to their intentions:

Pornography / Sexual Images: Online predators can use sexual content to desensitize kids and teenagers to their intentions.
Obscene Language: Predators may tell a child they are “mature” or “special,” send inappropriate images, or compliment them excessively.
Cyberharassment / Sextortion: If manipulation fails, predators may resort to threats, claiming they possess revealing images and will share them publicly.

Through confusion, fear, and persistence, a child or teenager may fall victim to the online predator’s trap. Remember: they aim to silence victims through fear. This is why it’s critical to remind your kids that they can always talk to you without fear of punishment.

Understanding Common Threats

Online Danger	Example	How to Respond
Grooming	Stranger builds friendship through gaming or social chat	Explain “tricky people” and that good adults never ask for secrets
Sextortion	Threats to share photos unless demands are met	Encourage immediate disclosure and reassure them they’re not in trouble
Cyberbullying	Hurtful messages from peers or strangers	Encourage blocking, screenshotting, and reporting—not replying
Inappropriate Content	Pop-ups or explicit videos	Use filters, report offensive material, and calmly discuss what they saw

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reports an 85% rise in online enticement since 2019, underscoring how important it is to start kids online safety conversations early.

Online Safety Teaching Points by Age

Pre-School (0–5 years)

While we used to not have to worry about preschool-aged kids being online, more and more educational resources and games are geared toward this younger crowd. Many parents allow their pre-school-aged kids to play on their phones or tablets to keep them occupied. While there is nothing wrong with this, it should be done in a controlled setting.

Check apps for age ratings and use child versions such as YouTube Kids or Netflix Kids.
Let your child play only when supervised and encourage family playtime.
Use simple words like “bad guys” or “tricky people” to teach who not to trust.

Watch 5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids together to help introduce these ideas safely.

Young Children (6–10 years)

At this age, most children aren’t yet on social media, but they are online through games or shared devices. Before they start exploring independently, talk about what’s appropriate.

Turn on parental controls and privacy settings.
Teach them not to share private information like names, addresses, or schools.
Remind siblings to model safe behaviour.

They can also watch 5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids to reinforce your lessons visually.

Pre-Teen (11–13 years)

At this stage, many children begin social media or gaming chats. It’s also the age when over 50% of online predator victims fall within the 10–15 age group.

Discuss how to respond to messages from strangers.
Teach them how to block and report unwanted contact.
Revisit boundaries for photos, messages, and privacy settings.

Show them Digital Citizenship for Kids for a deeper look at online interactions and strangers.

Teens (14+ years)

This is the age when social media dominates social life. While there are benefits—friendship, creativity, expression—there are risks like cyberbullying, sexting, and oversharing.

Discuss the permanence of online posts (“digital footprints”).
Create a family agreement for device use and privacy.
Let them know you trust them but will always prioritise safety.
Watch Teen Voices: Oversharing and Your Digital Footprint together to help reinforce these lessons.

How Parents Can Model Digital Safety

Children learn by observing adults. Practicing what you preach—respecting privacy, taking breaks from screens, verifying online information, and showing kindness online—builds credibility and trust.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents who co-view digital content and hold regular discussions about social media help reduce their child’s exposure to harmful behaviour. Setting healthy screen boundaries also supports emotional wellbeing.

Parental Approach to Safety Guidelines

While you can’t monitor everything your child does, you can build a foundation of awareness and trust. Here are five principles that apply to every age:

Stay Educated: Talk to your kids about online risks using language suited to their age.
Set Boundaries: Create structured device times and tech-free zones.
Be Private: Use strong privacy settings and keep personal data protected.
Post Safely: Teach your kids what’s appropriate to post or share publicly.
Be Open: Encourage honesty. Let them know they can come to you without fear of punishment.

For more tips, watch How to Protect Your Children from Online Predators by Robin Dreeke of the Innocent Lives Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should I start teaching my kids about online safety?
Begin as soon as your child starts using any connected device. Early conversations about boundaries and privacy build lifelong habits.

Q: How do I explain online predators without scaring my child?
Stay calm and focus on empowerment. The NCMEC recommends describing unsafe people as “tricky” or “secret keepers” to make the message relatable.

Q: What are the best apps to help teach kids online safety?
Use free programs such as Google’s Be Internet Awesome, NetSmartz Kids, and Common Sense Media’s Digital Citizenship Curriculum—they make learning interactive and fun.

Q: Should I check my child’s social media or gaming accounts?
Yes, but with transparency. Explain your reasons and do it together. According to Internet Matters, collaborative monitoring builds trust and responsibility.

Q: Are there risks in posting my children’s pictures online?
Unfortunately, yes. Even innocent photos can be misused by predators. Keep accounts private and avoid posting identifiable details or locations.

Bridging Freedom | Restoring Stolen Childhoods

Our team serves as an advocate for restoring stolen childhoods. At Bridging Freedom, we aim to combat domestic minor sex trafficking through our restoration programs for rescued victims by providing a therapeutic safe homes for victims. Aside from providing services for victims, Bridging Freedom aims to educate the community about the horrors going on behind closed doors.

Through partnerships with Clearwater/Tampa Bay Area Task Force on Human Trafficking, Tampa Bay FBI Innocence Lost Initiative, and St. Petersburg College Center for Human Trafficking Awareness, Bridging Freedom can help provide victims with a safe place and connect them to necessary resources. In order to allow us to continue doing what we do, Bridging Freedom relies on the generosity and collaboration of our community of supporters. If you would like to be a part of our group of supporters, you can donate at the page here.

Community Role and How to Get Involved

Families can strengthen Kids Online Safety by joining awareness workshops and school programs. Bridging Freedom collaborates with the Clearwater/Tampa Bay Area Task Force on Human Trafficking, Tampa Bay FBI Innocence Lost Initiative, and the St. Petersburg College Center for Human Trafficking Awareness to educate and protect children throughout Florida.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. If you suspect a child is being exploited online, contact your local law enforcement or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678).