What information should my child keep private online?
What should I tell my child to do if someone asks them for pictures?
Your child should always know that they can come to you if someone asks them something they’re not sure about. They should come to you if anyone asks them for pictures, and unless it is a trusted person (a known, trusted method of communication with a real-life trusted person. For example: a text from grandma […]
Are pictures of certain body parts considered inappropriate, even if they seem harmless?
Any requests for pictures that are specific about the pose, body part, or clothing should be considered a red flag. Even if you do not recognize how it could be inappropriate, a specific request indicates that it is not harmless.
How can I tell if someone online is lying about who they are to my child?
You cannot. It is always safer to assume that anyone that your child is connected to solely online is unsafe. The only way to know if it is someone who is safe is if you know them in real life and have contact information to confirm who it is.
What if all of my child’s friends are allowed on social media, but my child isn’t?
This can be challenging, but you are allowed to maintain different rules and boundaries for your family. One thing to keep in mind is that even if your child is not allowed on social media, they will likely still be able to figure out a way to access it if they really want to, and […]
How do I help my child set privacy settings on their accounts?
Research the privacy settings on each app or program they are using. Then with them, show them how you are setting up the settings to keep them safe. Some apps or programs may allow you to set a password so that only you, as the adult, can change the privacy and safety settings. Make sure […]
What should I do if someone creates a fake account pretending to be my child?
Report to the platform and local law enforcement. You can also make a report with The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
What counts as sexting involving minors?
The term sexting can mean any kind of sexual content sent on an app or online platform. This can be text-based content (like a text message describing a sex act), emojis (like the eggplant emoji), sending links to explicit content, and sending sexual pictures and videos of themselves or others. The most common use of […]
Why is it illegal for minors to send intimate images, even of themselves?
There is always risk associated with these types of images, so the law is very strict. However, law enforcement is not likely to arrest a minor for sending an intimate image of themselves.
Should my child save messages or delete them if something unsafe happens online?
If you and/or your child wish to report the unsafe actions, keeping messages can be helpful to provide evidence.