Online Safety for Minors

As technology continues to advance, you may want to consider developing online safety habits for your family.

Children and Teens

ONLY use a screen name, not your real name when online.

NEVER give out personal information like your picture, last name, phone number, address, city, or school.

LET a parent or trusted adult know if anything you read or see online makes you feel weird or uncomfortable.

INSIST on safety! Never agree to meet with an online friend without parent approval.

NEVER post or trade personal pictures.

EVERY password should be a secret! Don’t share it without parent approval.

SOCIAL media friends aren’t a substitute for real life friends. Only use social media with parent approval.

ALWAYS follow your family rules for online safety.

FRIENDS aren’t always friendly. An online friend that seems like a kid may actually be a dangerous grownup or an online bully!

EXIT pop-up ads! They want to sell you something or may take you to unsafe sites

MONITOR your children’s computer and device use at home and in public places.

RULES help! Set up family rules for online use, including acceptable contacts, content, and conduct.

ONLINE = “open” or “accessible.” Teach children that anywhere on the Internet is never truly private.

SPEND time online together to teach your kids appropriate online behavior.

KEEP the computer in a common area and monitor time spent on smartphones or tablets.

CONSIDER setting parental controls.

BOOKMARK kids' favorite sites for easy access.

CHECK your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.

Connect Safely
Provides resources for caregivers about technology safety, security, and privacy.
Common Sense Media
Keeps parents up-to-date and answers their safety questions about the latest online platforms and trends.
The Internet and Your Kids: 8 Tips for Keeping Safe Online
Clear, up-to-date tips with informative explanations and links to research/evidencebased tips and cautions (i.e. "sharenting").
FTC Consumer Advice - Online Privacy and Security
Covers online privacy, protecting devices from hackers and other threats, avoiding common online scams, and other topics.
Internet Safety for Kids: 7 Tips for Parents
This site has an engaging, informative video for parents. It addresses concerns about kids' safe internet use by providing tips for initiating controls (i.e. child-safe browsers and filtering tools).
Kids Health: Teaching Kids To Be Smart About Social Media
Provides helpful tips for caregivers regarding navigating social media with their children.
Internet Matters
This website is on the cutting edge of child internet safety and provides comprehensive resources in partnership with companies like Google, Meta, Roblox, and others.