5 Back-to-School Online Safety Tips for Parents
Back-to-school is a great time for parents and schools to talk with students about online safety.
5 Back-to-School Online Safety Tips for Parents
1. Remove Technology From the Bedroom at Night
I've spent the last seven years traveling the country speaking to students and parents about online safety. More than 70% of the most awful stories I hear happen after the parents have gone to bed. Cyberbullying. Online predators. Kids being targeted by drug dealers. Kids will often use the excuse they need their devices for homework. What actually happens is they are in serious danger and lose sleep because of late-night access to technology.
2. Consider Your Own Tech Use
Kids follow your lead with technology, just like anything else. Avoid posting back-to-school photos that show your home address, school name or logo, teacher's name, or your child's full name.
Ask yourself:
How much time am I spending on social media?
Is it taking away from family time?
Am I treating others online the way I want my child to?
3. Remind Your Kids They Can Come to You with Anything
Back-to-school is a great time to remind your kids that nothing online is too embarrassing or awkward to talk about. There’s no mistake they can make that you won’t walk through with them. If someone sends or asks them to send something that makes them uncomfortable, they need to know they can come to you.
4. Show Grace
Kids don't become adults just because we give them access to adult tools. Smartphones and social media apps are adult tools in the hands and minds of children. They are going to make mistakes. You did, too. It just wasn't recorded or screenshotted.
Kids I meet in schools often feel anxiety and worry they can't outrun an online mistake because it could be there forever. They need grace, forgiveness, and the ability to move past a youthful online mistake.
5. Ask Your Child's School How They're Addressing Online Safety
Here are a few fair questions to ask:
Is online safety and digital citizenship part of your curriculum?
What is your cell phone policy? How is it enforced?
What’s your policy on AI, including cheating, fake images, and voice clones?
Do you allow staff and students to communicate on social media apps?
