School’s out, and for many families, that means longer days, looser routines and (much) more screen time. Whether your child is playing a new video game, chatting on Discord or exploring social media platforms, summer often brings an increase in online activity. While these platforms can be fun and social, they also come with risks that parents need to be aware of.
At Kidas, we monitor millions of in-game voice and text conversations across popular platforms, including Roblox, Minecraft and Fortnite, to help families detect threats in real-time. Based on our latest findings, here’s what parents need to know about online threats and how to build healthy habits that protect your kids while still allowing them to enjoy their time online.
Summer Online Safety 101 for Parents: How to Protect Your Kids in a Digital World
By Jenna Berger, Head of Parenting at Kidas
The Most Common Threats
The risks online aren’t always obvious. In fact, many dangers hide in plain sight. According to our recent Kidas threat data, three of the most common threats children are exposed to are:
- Location Exposures: Many kids, especially younger ones, share sensitive information like their school name, the city they live in, or even their home address in chats. While many times this isn’t done intentionally, it happens too frequently online which can lead to privacy violations and more.
- Sexual and Explicit Content: From inappropriate jokes to unsolicited images and links, kids are often exposed to content of an inappropriate and sexual nature. In many cases, these messages come from strangers posing as peers who are in fact adults.
- Toxic Communication and Bullying: Name-calling, threats, and exclusionary behavior remain alarmingly common in online games and chat platforms which affect children in many negative ways.
What makes these risks so dangerous is how easily they can escalate. What may begin as a harmless conversation can quickly turn into a situation where a child is being groomed by a predator. Early intervention is essential in these cases.
Conversation Starters
One of the most powerful tools you have as a parent is open communication. When your child feels comfortable chatting with you about what happens online, they are more likely to come to you if they encounter a dangerous situation. Here are three questions to start the conversation:
- “Who are you talking to online?” Without making them feel judged or questioned, learn about who your children are speaking to online. Make it clear that not everyone online is who they say they are. If they have never met an online friend in real-life, it’s likely that they don’t know who they really are. Talk about the importance of not sharing any personal information to keep your child safe.
- “What would you do if someone made you uncomfortable online?” Role-play possible scenarios and practice how they could respond. In many cases, kids will say “that would never happen” and give you an eye roll. While you may want your child to remain naive, it’s important that they are aware of the risks while communicating with strangers. It’s better for them to feel uncomfortable role playing with you then getting caught in an uncomfortable situation with a stranger later on.
- “What are your favorite games or platforms?” Ask with genuine curiosity. The more you understand where they’re spending time, the more informed your guidance will be. Take some time to play the games they like or view the platforms with your child to see what they are all about and how they communicate with others.
These questions build trust and open the door for your child to come to you when something doesn’t feel right.
Set Summer Tech Rules
Summer can quickly become a free-for-all with screens. Without the structure of school, it’s easy for kids to spend hours online with limited oversight. That’s why now is the time to set clear, reasonable boundaries.
Here are a few healthy screen habits to consider:
- Create a summer tech schedule. Without a schedule, the time on screens can creep up…fast! Create a summer tech schedule that allows flexibility, but build in tech-free time for outdoor play, reading, and family activities. Consider starting the day with a few screen free hours to get them up and moving!
- Set up parental controls and privacy settings. Platforms like Discord, Roblox, and Fortnite offer built-in safety features that are available and ready to use. Learn what you can do on each platform to keep your child safe. If you are setting up new accounts, set them up with your child and enable parental controls instead of utilizing them after the fact. Ensure that you enter your child’s real age when setting up accounts so that you have access to the correct controls.
- Designate screen-free zones. Keep devices out of bedrooms and off the dinner table to encourage connection face to face. When screens are in the bedroom, they can affect your child’s sleep and you have less insight into what they are doing in the dark hours. Set an end time for screens and put them away outside of the bedroom until the next day!
- Be a digital role model. Your kids are watching how you utilize screens. When their screens go away, do your best to put yours away too! While you won’t always be able to do this, do what you can to keep the dinner table and other times of connection with your kids screen free.
These habits help create a balanced digital environment where kids can both play and be safe.
Tools That Can Help
While no tool is enough on its own, technology can help fill the gaps, especially when you can’t be in the room. There are a range of monitoring apps and services available today, including Kidas’ ProtectMe software, which analyzes voice and text chats in real-time to detect potential threats in gaming and alert parents.
Look for tools that:
- Monitor both voice and text chats
- Offer easy-to-understand reports
- Focus on prevention, not punishment
- Respect your child’s privacy while still keeping them safe
Focus on Connection Over Control
At the end of the day, your goal isn’t to control your child’s every move while they are online, it’s to empower them with the skills and support needed to navigate the digital world confidently. The online world can be a great place to build friendships and explore new interests, which they can do with your support! By staying involved, having open communication about their life online and enforcing your families tech boundaries, you can help ensure your child’s summer is not only filled with fun but that it’s also safe.
