Hey parents! Are your kids surfing the web, playing multiplayer games, or chatting on social media? Have you talked to them about stranger danger online? It’s important to be super clear when talking about online safety. Instead of just saying “be careful,” it’s better to help them understand exactly what to look out for and why it’s so important. Here’s how you can break it down for different age groups.
Watch the video below
Stranger danger tips for younger children
For Younger Kids (Ages 3-7)
For little ones, keep it simple: “Just like we don’t talk to strangers at the park, we shouldn’t talk to people we don’t know online.”
Some people online might pretend to be someone else, kind of like playing dress-up, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe.
It’s always best to stick to talking with people you know in real life, like friends and family.
Stranger danger tips for older children
For Older Kids (Ages 8-11)
With older kids, you can go into a little more detail: “Online strangers are people you meet on the internet but haven’t met in real life. Even if they seem nice, if you haven’t met them with a trusted adult, they’re still a stranger.”
Remind them that people online aren’t always who they say they are, so it’s important to stay cautious.
Use Everyday Examples
Compare online strangers to strangers in real life. If someone you don’t know says “hi” in a game or app, that doesn’t mean it’s safe to talk to them.
Just because someone plays the same game doesn’t mean you should trust them. People can pretend to be anyone online.
Watch Out for Red Flags
Let your kids know what to be on the lookout for. Online strangers might:
- Ask for personal info like your name, where you live, or your school.
- Try to keep their chats secret.
- Suggest meeting in real life.
- Send weird or inappropriate stuff or ask for photos.
Keep Talking
Encourage your kids to come to you if something doesn’t feel right. Let them know they won’t be in trouble for telling you if something makes them uncomfortable or confused. It’s important they feel safe talking to you about these things.
Additional Tips for Parents
- Set clear rules for who your child can talk to online.
- Use parental controls and privacy settings on apps and devices.
- Keep an eye on what your child is doing online, especially when they’re young.
- Make online safety something you talk about regularly.
- Show them by example—be careful about who you interact with online too.
The goal isn’t to scare kids but to give them the info they need to stay safe. By keeping the conversation open and honest, you’re helping them use the internet in a safer, smarter way.