Why Talking to Kids About Online Safety Matters—Especially in Summer

As a parent of a little, one of the most important conversations I urge families to have—especially as school lets out and screen time goes up—is about online safety. Whether your child is gaming, watching videos, texting friends, or exploring new apps, the digital world they’re navigating is vast, powerful, and not always safe.

📱 Average age of first exposure to online porn: 12 years old
📈 15% of teens reported seeing porn by age 10 or younger
🔍 73% of teens (ages 13–17) have viewed pornography online
⚠️ Over 50% of exposures were accidental—through pop-ups, links, or social media

These findings highlight the urgent need for early, open conversations about online safety and digital boundaries.

📊 The Summer Surge in Screen Time

According to Common Sense Media, kids' average screen time increases by 20–30% during summer when school is out and routines shift. Without the structure of the school day, many children spend more unsupervised time online—which means more opportunities to encounter inappropriate content, unsafe interactions, and privacy risks.

Now is the time to have check-in conversations.

💡 Why Early and Ongoing Digital Conversations Matter

Kids may be tech-savvy, but that doesn’t mean they’re prepared to manage online challenges on their own. Teaching children how to be safe, thoughtful digital citizens needs to happen early—and often.

Online safety isn't a one-time talk. It's an ongoing conversation that should grow with your child, just like discussions about real-world safety.

🧠 Educational Tips for Digital Safety

Here are some key areas to cover in age-appropriate ways:

Personal Information: Teach them never to share their full name, address, phone number, school, or photos with strangers online.
Stranger Danger Online: Not everyone online is who they say they are. Kids should never engage with people they don’t know in real life.
Red Flags: Help your child spot warning signs—like someone asking them to keep a secret, move a conversation to another app, or share photos.
Privacy Settings: Review device and app settings together. Turn off location sharing and talk about why privacy matters.
Screenshots & Digital Footprint: Everything online can be saved or shared. Remind kids that once something is posted, it can last forever.
Online Pledge: Free Printable HERE

Grown-Up Prompts to Start the Conversation

Use these open-ended questions to start a meaningful dialogue with your child:

"What apps or games are your favorites right now? Can you show me how they work?"
→ This builds trust and gives you insight into their digital world.
"Has anyone ever said something weird or made you uncomfortable online?"
→ Reassure them they’ll never be in trouble for being honest.
"What would you do if someone you didn’t know tried to message you?"
→ Role-play different responses and create a safety plan.
"Why do you think it’s important to be kind online, just like in real life?"
→ Use this to reinforce values of empathy and digital respect.
"What could you do if someone shows you something online that feels wrong or makes you uncomfortable?"
→ Talk about safe exit strategies like:
- Walking away or putting the device down
- Saying, “I don’t want to see that,” and changing the subject
- Closing the app and telling a trusted adult right away
→ Empower them to trust their gut, set boundaries, and ask for help. Make sure they know it’s brave and smart to speak up.

💬 Final Thought

Talking about online safety doesn’t have to be scary—but it does need to happen. When kids know they can come to you without fear of getting in trouble, they’re more likely to speak up when something feels off. Summer is full of possibilities—let’s make sure it’s a season of fun and safe exploration!

Join the Conversation Club and learn more about our new digital conversation clubs - HERE