Talking to Your Child About Online Safety

Smartphones and internet access are part of childhood now. Here's how to keep your child safe online without controlling every moment.

Start the conversation early. Children as young as 7 use phones and tablets. Begin talking about online safety before they have unrestricted access.

Be honest about risks. Talk about specific concerns: strangers who pretend to be friends, sharing personal information, cyberbullying, and inappropriate content.

Set clear rules. When can they use devices? Where? For how long? What apps are allowed?

Use parental controls. Most phones and WiFi routers have built-in parental controls.

Don't ban — educate. Banning phones entirely often backfires. Teach good decisions instead.

Follow their accounts. A reasonable safety measure — but tell them you're doing it.

Keep devices out of bedrooms. Charge them in the kitchen or living room overnight.

Model good behaviour. If you're scrolling during meals, they will copy you.

Create a safe space for questions. They need to know they can come to you without being punished.

Online safety is about building trust, teaching judgment, and being present.