Internet Safety for Children: A Guide for Families

Internet Safety for Children: A Guide for Families

As the internet becomes a bigger part of daily life, children and teens are connecting online through school, social media, games, and entertainment. While these digital tools can help kids learn and stay connected, they also come with risks like inappropriate content, online exploitation, privacy threats, and cyberbullying. Your care team at Pediatrics Northwest are committed to supporting your family and helping you build a safe, healthy, and secure online practice for your children.

Why Internet Safety Matters

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes that too much unsupervised internet use can contribute to problems such as sleep disruption, exposure to violence or sexual content, and increased risk of cyberbullying or online predation (AAP, 2023). Establishing safe habits early can protect children and promote positive digital citizenship.

Strategies for Families

1. Maintain Open Communication

Being able to openly communicate with your family is a core factor for internet safety. Children who feel comfortable talking with parents or caregivers about their online experiences are more likely to disclose concerns (Livingstone & Helsper, 2008). Encourage your children to share what they enjoy online and to come to you if something makes them uncomfortable or they see something inappropriate.

2. Establish Clear Boundaries

• Designate “screen-free zones” and “screen-free times, such as bedrooms and family mealtimes
• Use parental controls and privacy settings on devices and applications
• Follow the AAP’s recommendation of creating a Family Media Plan to set clear expectations for screen use (AAP, 2023).

3.Teach Responsible Sharing

Children should understand that personal information. This includes full names, addresses, school details, or photos. This type of information should never be shared online! The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises that even seemingly minor details can compromise a child’s privacy and safety (FTC, 2022).

4. Monitor and Stay Engaged

Does this mean entirely keeping your children off the internet? No! Supervision is most effective because it respects your child’s independence, while giving oversight of their online behaviors. Placing devices in shared family spaces and periodically reviewing apps, games, or websites your child uses are recommended practices (Pew Research Center, 2020).

5. Model Healthy Online Behavior

Children learn from adult behavior. Demonstrating balanced screen use, respectful communication, and strong privacy habits sets a powerful example and leads to healthy internet habits.

6. Recognize Warning Signs

Signs such as secrecy about online activities, emotional withdrawal, or sudden changes in mood may indicate cyberbullying or harmful exposure. Caregivers should address these concerns promptly and seek professional support if needed.

Resources for Families

• American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan: healthychildren.org/MediaUsePlan
• Common Sense Media: www.commonsensemedia.org – Reviews apps, movies, and games for age-appropriateness.
• NetSmartz (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children): www.missingkids.org/NetSmartz – Safety tips and educational resources.
• StopBullying.gov – Guidance on preventing and responding to bullying and cyberbullying.

Pediatrics Northwest views internet safety as an essential part of your children’s overall health. Establishing strong communication, clear expectations, and healthy habits, families can help children navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. If you would like additional support or resources, please reach out to our Community Health Worker at CHW@pedsnw.net.

 References

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2023). Media and Children Communication Toolkit. Retrieved from https://www.aap.org
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC). (2022). Protecting Kids Online. Retrieved from https://www.ftc.gov
• Livingstone, S., & Helsper, E. J. (2008). Parental mediation of children’s internet use. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 52(4), 581–599.
• Pew Research Center. (2016). Parents, Teens, and Digital Monitoring. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org