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As children<\/a> get older, they begin to individuate<\/a>, or develop their own unique sense of identity. As part of this normal developmental process, they begin to want more space and privacy from their parents and caregivers.<\/p>\n Most parents<\/a> remember going through this stage themselves. But you might still feel a little uneasy, even frightened, about your teen\u2019s increased need for privacy, especially when it comes to the internet. You love your child and want to keep them safe, and your awareness of internet predators, cyberbullying, and other online dangers can make you wonder how it\u2019s possible to both give them privacy and ensure their safety.<\/p>\n There are several ways to allow your teen a measure of privacy online but still keep them safe. We offer some guidance below.<\/p>\n If you spend any amount of time online, you\u2019ve probably encountered plenty of articles or social media posts about the various internet dangers that can pop up. Plenty of these threats are real, but remember to keep a realistic frame of mind. For example, some people have experienced brainwashing or fallen in with cults<\/a> and religious groups online, but this isn\u2019t a common situation. It\u2019s far more likely your child could face harassment, be pressured for sexts<\/a>, or get asked for passwords.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good idea to take steps to safeguard your child against all threats while remaining mindful of the likeliest dangers, including:<\/p>\n Other threats can become more relevant at certain times. For example, hate speech and racist ideology may increase in a divided political climate. Teenagers in the process of value formation and identity development may have higher susceptibility to harmful messages, sometimes without fully understanding the racism<\/a> or hate<\/a> behind them.<\/p>\n Some youth have increased vulnerability to certain threats. Children who spend a lot of time alone or don\u2019t have many offline friends in their peer group may go online more than children with active offline social lives.<\/p>\n Online friends aren\u2019t necessarily a bad thing. Some youth may not make friends easily or choose to avoid peers in their neighborhood or school for other reasons. However, these youth may be more vulnerable to catfishing or predators, so it\u2019s important to familiarize them with online safety tips and potential red flags.<\/p>\n If your child plays video games online, their device may have a higher risk for compromised security. It\u2019s important to familiarize yourself with the software or console they\u2019re using and make sure recommended safety settings are in place.<\/p>\n Awareness is the first, and arguably the most important, step to becoming safer online. You can\u2019t protect yourself from something if you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re up against. So start with some frank communication about the potential dangers of the internet.<\/p>\n Your teen may roll their eyes and say, \u201cI know<\/em>.\u201d And chances are, they do know. Research has found evidence to suggest many teenagers are very aware of potential online threats and take steps to protect themselves.<\/p>\n If your teen responds in this way, play to their knowledge. Say something like, \u201cI bet you do know! You spend more time online than I do. I\u2019m still learning, and I want to keep all of us, and our devices, safe. What should I know about? How do you keep yourself safe online?\u201d<\/p>\n Or turn it into a game. See who can come up with the longest list of threats and a precaution against each. It doesn\u2019t matter how you increase your\u2014and their\u2014knowledge. What matters is that you\u2019re both aware of what you\u2019re facing and how to safeguard against it.<\/p>\nThreats from the Internet<\/h2>\n
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How to Keep Your Kids Safe<\/h2>\n