How often should I revisit these conversations?
Think of safety as an ongoing dialogue, not a one-time talk. Short, regular check-ins work better than long lectures. As your child grows, the content of the conversation should grow with them. What matters most is that your child knows the door is always open, even when things are messy or uncomfortable.
What’s the biggest mistake parents make around digital and AI safety?
The most common mistake is believing that silence protects children. In reality, silence leaves them alone with content and experiences they are not ready to process. The most protective parents are not the ones who know the most about technology. They are the ones who stay curious, calm, and connected.
How do I teach my child about boundaries without making them afraid of people?
Boundaries are not about danger. They are about self-awareness and choice. Children who understand boundaries feel more confident, not more fearful. Focus on helping your child notice what feels comfortable and uncomfortable in their body, rather than teaching them to watch for “bad people.” You can say, “Your body gives you signals. If something feels […]
What happens during counseling sessions?
Sessions focus on safety, coping, and healing at the client’s pace. There is no pressure to relive details or share more than feels safe.
How do I report possible child sexual abuse material?
1. Do not share, forward, or save the material beyond what is necessary Do not send the content to others to ask their opinion. Sharing can unintentionally cause further harm and, in some cases, legal risk. If the material is already on a device, avoid repeated viewing. 2. Preserve evidence without interacting If the content […]
How do I know whether something my child saw online is actually harmful, or just uncomfortable?
Discomfort is often the first signal of harm, especially for children. Kids don’t always have the language to say “this crossed a line,” but their bodies and emotions register it quickly. If your child felt scared, confused, ashamed, pressured, or unable to look away, that experience deserves attention even if it’s hard to label. You […]
How do algorithms actually put risky content in front of kids?
Most platforms are designed to maximize engagement, not safety. Algorithms track what users pause on, watch, or interact with and then recommend more intense or extreme content over time. This means a child can be shown sexualized, violent, or misogynistic material without ever searching for it. Explaining this to kids helps reduce shame. You might […]
What’s the difference between curiosity and risk when it comes to sexual content?
Curiosity about bodies, relationships, and sex is developmentally normal. Risk enters when that curiosity is met with content that is explicit, degrading, violent, or misleading, especially when there is no adult guidance to help interpret it. The goal is not to shut down curiosity, but to redirect it toward accurate, age-appropriate information and open conversation. […]
How do generative AI tools increase risks for kids and teens?
Generative AI can create images, videos, voices, and text that look real but are completely fabricated. This increases the risk of deepfake sexual images, impersonation, false accusations, and manipulation. It also blurs the line between reality and fiction, which is especially challenging for young people whose brains are still developing. Kids need help understanding that […]
What should I tell my child about AI-generated images or videos of real people?
Be very clear that creating, sharing, or saving sexualized images of real people without their consent is harmful, even if the image is fake. For minors, this can also have serious legal consequences. You can say, “AI can make things that look real, but using it to embarrass, sexualize, or threaten someone is not okay. […]