👨👩👧 For Parents
What you need to know to keep your child safe online
A practical guide to the apps, the warning signs, and how to start the conversations that matter most. 💛
You don't need to be a tech expert. You just need to stay curious, stay calm, and stay in the conversation. This page gives you everything you need to do exactly that.
📱 apps to know about
💬
Kik
Anonymous messaging app — no phone number needed to sign up
Completely anonymous — predators love this
No parental controls or reporting tools
Most flagged app for predator contact with minors
17+rated
💬
WhatsApp
Free messaging and calls — used by kids to avoid SMS charges
End-to-end encrypted — messages can't be monitored
Group chats can include unknown adults
Easy to share location, photos and videos
13+min age
👻
Snapchat
Disappearing messages and Snap Map shows real-time location
Snap Map reveals your child's exact location
False sense of privacy — screenshots always exist
Strangers can add by username or proximity
13+min age
🎮
Discord
Chat servers for gaming — many completely unmoderated
Direct messaging from any stranger
Unmoderated servers with adult content
Voice and video calls with unknown users
13+min age
🎵
TikTok
Short video platform — hugely popular with kids 10 and up
DMs from strangers on public accounts
Algorithm can surface inappropriate content
In-app purchases and gifts on livestreams
13+min age
🎲
Omegle / similar sites
Random video and text chat with complete strangers — no account needed
No age verification whatsoever
Frequently used to expose minors to explicit content
No moderation — anything goes
18+rated
🚩 warning signs to watch for
🚨 Behavioral changes that may signal a problem
Becomes secretive or defensive about their phone — switches screens when you walk by
Mentions a new "friend" they've never met in person and gets protective of that relationship
Withdrawing from family, real-life friends, or activities they used to love
Mood changes after being online — anger, sadness, anxiety or shutting down
Wants to be online very late at night or wakes up to check their phone
Receives gifts, money or packages you didn't buy — especially from "online friends"
Becomes reluctant to go to school or see friends in person
Uses new words, phrases or references you don't recognise and gets defensive when asked
💬 how to start the hard conversations
Ages 8 — 11
Starting the internet safety conversation early
"Can you show me what apps you use? I'd love to see what you're into."
"If someone online ever said something that made you feel weird, you could always tell me — you wouldn't be in trouble."
"What would you do if a stranger tried to talk to you in a game?"
Ages 12 — 14
Talking about privacy, strangers and social media
"I read that a lot of kids your age get messages from strangers online. Has that ever happened to you?"
"Can we go through your privacy settings together? I'm not checking up on you — I just want to make sure you're protected."
"What would you do if someone online asked you to keep a secret from me?"
Ages 15 — 17
Talking about grooming, trust and real consequences
"I know you're smart and I trust you — I just want to talk about what grooming actually looks like, because it's designed to be hard to spot."
"If you ever felt pressured by someone online — even someone you liked — I want you to know I would never blame you."
"Have you ever seen anything online that made you feel uncomfortable? Even if it felt small — I want to hear it."
If something has already happened
When your child comes to you with something serious
"Thank you for telling me. You did the right thing and you are not in trouble."
"I'm not going to overreact. I just want to understand what happened so we can figure it out together."
"None of this is your fault. I want you to know that before we talk about anything else."
📞 resources for parents
🛡️
NCMEC CyberTipline
Report online exploitation or inappropriate contact between an adult and your child
cybertipline.org · 1-800-843-5678
💙
StopBullying.gov
Federal resource on cyberbullying — what it is, how to report it, and how to support your child
stopbullying.gov
📱
Common Sense Media
Age ratings and parent reviews for every app, game and platform your child uses
commonsensemedia.org
📞
Crisis Text Line
Free 24/7 crisis support — for your child or for you as a parent navigating a difficult situation
Text HOME to 741741
🌐
ConnectSafely
Plain-language parent guides for every major platform — TikTok, Snapchat, Discord and more
connectsafely.org
👮
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Law enforcement resource if you believe your child has been targeted by a predator
icactaskforce.org
⚙️ privacy settings cheat sheet
📱 iPhone / iPad
- ✓Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy
- ✓Turn on Ask to Buy for app downloads
- ✓Set communication limits by contact
- ✓Enable downtime schedule for bedtime
🤖 Android
- ✓Settings → Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls
- ✓Set up Google Family Link for under-13s
- ✓Enable SafeSearch in browser
- ✓Set app timers and daily limits
🌐 All devices
- ✓Turn off location in every social app
- ✓Set all accounts to private / friends only
- ✓Disable in-app purchases
- ✓Review camera & microphone permissions
💛 The most important thing: Your child doesn't need a perfect parent who knows every app and every trend. They need a parent who stays curious, stays calm, and stays available. The conversation you have today — even an imperfect one — is worth more than any parental control app.
