Additional resources to help kids and families stay safer online
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What if the harm involved another student? Should I contact the other child’s parents?
Peer-to-peer harm is still harm. Schools should address it with safety planning, accountability, and support rather than minimizing it as normal behavior. Your role is to advocate for your child’s safety and well-being, not to determine intent or punishment. In many situations, it is safer to go through the school or a professional rather than […]
How do I advocate for my child at school without escalating things?
Document concerns, ask about safety plans, and request clear communication. You can ask schools what steps they are taking to protect your child without demanding punishment.
How should I handle jokes, teasing, or peer pressure?
Children often tolerate discomfort to avoid social fallout. They may think they are being too sensitive if others are laughing. You can say, “If something makes you uncomfortable, that’s enough. You don’t have to like something just because other people think it’s funny.” Help them practice simple phrases like, “That’s not funny to me,” or […]
My child says it was “just a joke.” Should I drop it?
Children often use humor to reduce discomfort, embarrassment, or fear. Calling something a joke does not mean it felt okay. It often means they want the situation to stop without drawing attention to themselves. You do not need to challenge their words. You can gently widen the conversation. You might say, “Sometimes things start as […]
Why do kids not block someone right away?
Fear of retaliation, emotional attachment, manipulation, or hope that the behavior will stop are common reasons. Some children are threatened with embarrassment or harm if they block or report. Not blocking does not mean they wanted the interaction. It often means they felt trapped.
What if I say the wrong thing?
You do not need perfect words. Being present, listening, believing, and staying regulated are far more important than saying everything right. Repair is always possible. If you miss something, you can say, “I’m still learning how to do this well, and I care about you.”
What if this brings up my own experiences?
That is very common. Supporting a child can activate unresolved feelings. Seeking your own support is not a failure. It’s part of protecting both you and your child.
I want my child to be safe, but I’m not always sure what I should be telling them to report. I don’t want to overreact or scare them.
That uncertainty makes sense, and you are not alone in it. Most children do not experience harm as a single, obvious moment. It often shows up as discomfort, confusion, pressure, or a feeling that something is “off,” long before it becomes clear what is happening. I usually tell parents that the goal is not to […]
Who should my child be able to talk to if they don’t feel ready to talk to me?
It is actually protective for children to have more than one trusted adult. Sometimes kids worry about disappointing their parents, getting someone in trouble, or changing how they are seen at home. That does not mean they are hiding something in a negative way. It means they are navigating complex emotions. You can normalize this […]