The digital world offers many opportunities for adults and children to learn. It has also dramatically changed how we communicate. Unfortunately, it is also a place where children and adults can be victimized. Cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and loss of privacy are just some of the risks. To effectively protect children, parents and caregivers need to be familiar with the ever-changing online and digital methods of communication and take the necessary steps to promote safety for the children and youth in their care.

Educate the Children

• Talk about the risks, such as what can happen when a child’s identity, location, or other personal information gets into the wrong hands.
• Kids in care are at higher risk for online, digital, and other bullying. Discuss what bullying looks like, what to do if the child or someone they know is bullied, and how important it is to communicate with parents or caregivers if it’s happening.
• Educate the child in your care about grooming behaviors. Predators don’t begin conversations with explicit sexual requests. They start by acting like a friend and validating the child’s feelings. Children in care may be at greater risk since they may feel afraid, isolated, or lonely.
• Warn the child in your care that gifts, pressure to do things, requests for pictures, and other seemingly innocent actions by an acquaintance from the digital space could also be grooming.
• It’s a good idea to discuss respectful and healthy digital behavior with everyone in your family.
• Help the child in your care distinguish between quality sites and social media messaging and those that distort and seek to exploit people.

Set Boundaries

Many families have established house rules for many behaviors and expectations. Yet, sometimes, they neglect to address the importance of developing clear and consistent rules around the digital and social media space.

You might consider posting a written Family Agreement where everyone can see it. That agreement should:

• Establish clear boundaries about prohibiting posting or sharing personal identifying information in digital spaces, such as names, pictures, telephone numbers, addresses, or passwords/logins. For example, have the child avoid a username like “Jane.Doe2011.”
• List specific sites or apps kids should not be visiting, and firm rules about the consequences of visiting those sites.
• Identify clear expectations about using video game systems or other household devices with digital capabilities.
• Specify time frames when kids can be online. For example, sleep is known to be disrupted when kids bring their cell phones or tablets to bed. Have a designated spot for devices to be kept when not in use.
• Communicate a firm message that kids should never meet someone in person from the digital world without talking to an adult first.
• Be shared with other childcare team members (birth family, social worker, school staff, respite providers, etc.).

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

• Teach the child in your care that if they get in a situation that feels uncomfortable, they can and should always come to you and won’t get in trouble if they do.
• Avoid grounding kids from screen time for violations of the Family Agreement. Doing so may make it more likely that the child will hesitate to come to you if they are experiencing a problem online.
• Discuss with the child and the child’s care team how you will monitor the child’s digital activity. Help the child understand that family safety means all family members must act responsibly.
• Discuss any uncomfortable experiences with the children in your care and how you resolved and learned from them.

Educate Yourself and Supervise

• Become familiar with the latest digital platforms and apps, even if it’s simply to know which ones are most frequently used. Whether the children in your home have devices or are using yours, understand that devices are easily accessible to them.
• Ask the children in your care to share their favorite apps or to teach you what they already know. You’re likely to learn something new, and it helps build a child’s self-esteem to teach you something.
• Utilize monitoring software and be diligent about using it. Inform the child’s care team so that privacy issues can be handled with care.

Explore Together

Learn from one another using online content and social media as teaching tools and educational resources. While it is true that the virtual world can be dangerous, it is also an invaluable resource for opportunities to learn and grow together.

Resources

Additional Resources

• The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• NetSmartz Online Teen Safety Guide Life360 Keeping Children You Foster and Adopt Safe Online A Guide to Internet Safety Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Online Safety Wisconsin Safe and Healthy Schools Center: Internet Safety Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association: Internet Safety Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Interactive Safety Resource Protect Kids Online Podcast The Internet and Your Kids: 8 Tips for Keeping Safe Online

 

The digital world offers endless opportunities—but it also comes with risks. Protecting kids from cyberbullying, predators, and privacy issues starts with awareness and action.

This tip sheet helps parents and caregivers navigate the ever-changing online landscape. From setting boundaries to monitoring digital activity, this tip sheet gives you the tools to keep children safe while allowing them to explore the benefits of the digital world.

 

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Author: Wisconsin Family Connections Center
Additional Author: Coalition for Children, Youth & Families