Kids today are constantly online. Whereas our parents before used to give us crayons and scold us for riding our bikes out when we weren’t supposed to, we now hand our children tablets and scold them for being attached to their devices. Screens have become part of growing up, a window to another world.
But as every parent knows, not everything behind that screen is safe, and “other worlds” can actually be places of danger.
What could just be a harmless cartoon on a streaming site can now lead to something disturbing. A friendly chat in a game might introduce someone with darker intentions. Even apps designed for children sometimes collect data we never agreed to share.
It’s a new kind of danger and, sadly, one we can’t see, touch, or lock away in a cupboard. As a father, this is frustrating because it’s not as if I can chokehold a tablet and call the police. Tablets don’t lurk in dark corners, and we can’t protect our children from a phone the way we’d instinctively stand between them and the road.
Still, there are other ways we can protect our children from online dangers.
When the Internet Stops Being Fun
By the age of eleven, most children already have their own phones. Many are on social media long before they’re emotionally ready for it. I only have to turn my head around, to my own children, to see this firsthand.
In the UK, nearly half of children aged eight to seventeen say they’ve seen something online that made them feel uncomfortable or scared. These moments may not leave visible marks, but they can shape how a child sees the world and themselves.
Cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, online scams, and even impersonation are all growing realities. Our Staying Safe Online video found that one in three children are exposed to harmful online content every year; a statistic that becomes more alarming when you realise how invisible these dangers are.
Globally, an estimated 52,000 children die by suicide each year, and up to 24% of those cases have been linked to exposure to unsafe digital environments. The emotional wounds left by online harm can be just as real as physical injuries, sometimes lasting far longer.
With AI (Artificial Intelligence) now able to mimic voices and faces, what looks safe at first glance might not be. Even voice messages can now be faked to sound like a parent or friend, leading to new forms of manipulation and trust breaches that didn’t exist a few years ago.
It can feel overwhelming, but the goal isn’t to remove every risk; it’s to help our children face the digital world with confidence and care.
A Personal Lesson in Online Safety
I learned this the hard way. A few years ago, my son was playing what we thought was one of the safest games out there: Roblox. It’s marketed as child-friendly, full of creativity and building blocks, the kind of space where kids can use their imagination.
But safety online is rarely what it seems. One afternoon, he clicked on what looked like a harmless game link inside Roblox. It redirected him to YouTube, and from there, the suggested videos spiralled into disturbing clips, the sort of content no child should ever see.
My son saw it. I didn’t, until the nightmares began.
He became afraid of the dark, and bedtime turned into tears. But what could I do to protect him when the fears had no name? We eventually needed therapy to help him through it. I remember feeling completely helpless. How could something that claimed to be designed for children cause so much harm?
That moment changed how I saw online safety. It made me realise that even “safe” platforms need supervision. I started checking the settings on every app, turning off autoplay, blocking links that led outside the game, and sitting with my kids when they explore new apps.
As parents, we can’t assume that a bright logo and a “for kids” label mean protection. Sometimes, the biggest dangers hide in the most trusted places.
What Parents Can Do to Stay Ahead
Start the conversation early. Even young children can understand what’s safe and what’s not. Talk about the online world the same way you talk about crossing the street or staying close in a crowd.
Stay curious, not controlling. Ask about the games they play or the people they chat with. When children know you’re genuinely interested, they’re more likely to tell you when something feels wrong.
Use tools wisely. Parental controls and privacy settings help, but they’re not foolproof. Check them often and explain why you’re using them. Children who understand the “why” are less likely to resist boundaries.
Keep screens where you can see them. Devices in shared spaces make it easier to step in if something seems off. It also sends the quiet message that online time isn’t secret time.
Model the habits you want them to learn. The way we use our phones teaches more than any lecture. Be mindful of your own screen time and online sharing; they’re watching and learning from you.
Signs You Should Watch Out For
Even with the best precautions, children can still stumble into harmful situations online. The key is to notice changes early, before they become bigger problems.
Here are some signs to keep an eye on:
- Sudden mood changes, such as becoming quiet, anxious, or withdrawn after being online.
- Hiding their screens, changing tabs quickly, or getting defensive when you ask about their activity.
- Trouble sleeping, nightmares, or losing interest in things they used to enjoy.
- Slipping grades or reluctance to go to school.
- Talking about new “friends” they’ve met online but can’t tell you much about.
These signs don’t always mean danger, but they’re a good reason to start a gentle conversation. Try something open and nonjudgmental, like, “I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit quiet after using your phone. Is there anything online that’s been bothering you?”
Prepared, Not Fearful
We can’t stop technology from evolving, but we can prepare our children for it. Safety isn’t about shutting doors; it’s about opening the right ones, together.
Talk to your children and do it often. Yes, they are children, but you’re not protecting them by keeping them ignorant, either. All children are exposed to technology one way or another. Our job as parents is not to say “no” to everything or to say all forms of technology are bad. Rather, it’s about creating a culture of safety in our own homes and reminding our kids that no matter what happens online, they can always come to you.
Because being a healthy parent today isn’t just about scraped knees and bedtime routines, it’s about helping our kids stay safe in a world that never really turns off.
About the Author
Dale Allen is the founder of Sevron and the First Knight of Safety of The Safety-Verse. A passionate advocate for family preparedness, he has spent over 20 years helping parents create safer homes and communities. When he’s not writing or hosting, Dale enjoys spending time with his kids.