ven with all the best parental controls, kids can still find ways to access the internet—especially in places you don’t expect.
Here are 4 risky places where kids may be exposed to online dangers, and how you can manage them.
Grandparents’ House: No Rules, Unlimited Access
Most grandparents mean well—but they may not understand digital safety.
Many allow unrestricted screen time, often without supervision or filters.
Risks:
- Unlimited TV, tablet, and phone use
- No parental controls
- Lack of awareness about online dangers
What You Can Do:
- Install parental controls on your child’s devices before they visit
- Explain online risks to grandparents in simple terms
- Set up child-friendly apps like CBeebies or YouTube Kids on their TV/devices
Playgrounds & Public Transport: The Peer Influence Zone
After school or on the way home, kids often use their devices around friends.
Risks:
- Peer sharing of inappropriate content
- Access to unrestricted devices through friends
- Exposure to cyberbullying, explicit material, or unsafe apps
What You Can Do:
- Talk regularly about what they see, hear, or share online
- Discuss tough topics like pornography, sextortion, and cyberbullying
- Ask, “Has anything online made you uncomfortable lately?”
Bedroom: Alone with the Internet
Many teens scroll through social media late at night, alone with their thoughts.
Risks:
- Cyberbullying
- Sextortion
- Fear of missing out (FOMO)
- Sleep disruption and emotional stress
What You Can Do:
- No devices in bedrooms—set this as a house rule
- Create a central charging station (e.g., in your bedroom or a locked box)
- Make bedrooms screen-free zones after a certain hour
Friend’s House: No Control Over What They See
You can’t always monitor what happens when your child is visiting a friend.
Risks:
- Watching inappropriate content together
- Unsupervised gaming or social media
- Pressure to join in risky online behaviors
What You Can Do:
- Agree on rules with the friend’s parents ahead of time
- Encourage real-world play and less screen time during visits
- Keep gaming or screen use in shared areas, like the living room
- Check in with your child after visits to see how they felt
Final Tips for All Locations
- Use parental controls on all your child’s devices
- Talk often about internet safety and their online experiences
- Teach them to be a good digital citizen—respectful, safe, and thoughtful online
- Remind them: Once it’s online, it’s forever
