Table of Contents
The Digital Landscape for Children
Children today are digital natives, but that does not mean they understand online risks. From social media predators to data-harvesting games, the threats children face online are real and evolving. As parents, teaching digital safety is as important as teaching road safety.
Age-Appropriate Guidelines
Ages 5-8: Supervised Exploration
- Use devices only in shared family spaces
- Set up parental controls on all devices
- Choose age-appropriate apps and games together
- Teach the basic rule: never share personal information online
- Establish screen time limits
Ages 9-12: Guided Independence
- Begin conversations about cyberbullying and online strangers
- Review privacy settings together on any platforms they use
- Teach them to recognize suspicious messages and links
- Create family agreements about online behavior
- Introduce the concept of digital footprints
Ages 13+: Informed Autonomy
- Discuss social media privacy settings in detail
- Teach password management with a password manager
- Explain how photo metadata can reveal location
- Have open conversations about sexting, cyberbullying, and online predators
- Trust but verify — maintain open communication rather than surveillance
Essential Safety Measures
Parental Controls
- Device level — iOS Screen Time, Android Family Link, Windows Family Safety
- Router level — Many routers offer content filtering and time restrictions
- DNS filtering — Services like CleanBrowsing or OpenDNS Family Shield block inappropriate content network-wide
Account Security
- Create accounts together and know the passwords
- Use strong passwords even for children's accounts
- Enable two-factor authentication where available
- Review friend lists and connections regularly
Privacy Education
- Teach children that anything shared online can become permanent
- Explain that online "friends" may not be who they claim
- Show them how to recognize phishing and scams
- Practice identifying fake websites and suspicious messages together
Conversations That Matter
The most important security tool is open communication. Create an environment where children feel comfortable:
- Telling you about uncomfortable encounters without fear of losing device privileges
- Asking questions about things they see online
- Reporting cyberbullying — both as victims and witnesses
- Admitting mistakes like clicking a suspicious link or sharing personal information
Red Flags to Watch For
- Sudden secrecy about online activities
- New contacts that you have not met
- Unexplained gifts or money
- Emotional changes related to device use
- Switching screens or hiding devices when you approach
Online safety is not about restricting access — it is about equipping children with the knowledge and habits to navigate the digital world safely.
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Raimundo Coelho
Cybersecurity specialist and technology professor with over 20 years of experience in IT. Graduated from Universidade Estácio de Sá. Writing practical guides to help you protect your data and stay safe in the digital world.
