For Parents

Diligence Vigilance Insight

Parents lead the effort to keep their kids and teens safe online but as technology evolves, they need support and solutions. Parents understand that, as digital natives, their kids are adept at navigating the online world. But kids still need guidance and parents need help. Parents need and deserve smart, practical tools to help them make the best decisions for their kids. No one solution can solve the issue in totality but when applied together, the three steps below can allow both parents and kids to feel safe and empowered online.

Hold Those Responsible to Account

Keeping young people safe online isn’t just a family responsibility – it’s a shared one.

Our policymakers have a responsibility to protect kids and teens in the online world as boldly as they do in the real world.

Websites, app developers, and hosting platforms must do more than offer tools; they have a moral and legal obligation to actively monitor their platforms, enforce their own policies, and address harmful behavior swiftly and transparently.

Individuals who use technology to exploit, harass, or harm others must face equal consequences enforced for those same behaviors offline.

Parents and kids should not be left to shoulder the burden of safety and security alone.

It’s on all of us – real change happens when companies, communities, and individuals all take their responsibilities seriously. That’s why we need your voice.

Tell your representatives that you agree that protecting young people online cannot wait. Urge them to remember that safety includes the privacy and security of the sensitive, personal data of kids. Without all three, our kids aren’t safe.

Send a letter to your officials today and help create a safer online world for every young person.

Utilize Parental Controls

Parental controls are a crucial first step in helping your kid navigate the internet safely – they help set healthy boundaries and give you a little extra peace of mind. Most apps, devices, and even Wi-Fi networks have built-in parental controls that allow you to adjust approaches as your teen gains more in maturity and independence.

The trick is understanding where to find the tools and using them at least as well as your kids. As parents know from their own younger internet days, kids are experts at workarounds. That’s why we believe in working smarter, not harder.

Parents agree:
91%	More than nine in ten parents (91%) expressed some level of concern that a law requiring age verification from app stores but not from web browsers, would leave children able to access potentially harmful content through browsers. Over half (53%) said they were very concerned.

Have the “Tech Talk”

Kids are growing up in a world where being online is second nature – but that doesn’t mean they always know how to stay safe. As parents, one of the most powerful things you can do is simply talk to them. A “tech talk” isn’t about lecturing; it’s about opening up a conversation, sharing experiences, and letting them know they can come to you if something doesn’t feel right.

Start early and keep it real. Think of it like teaching them to ride a bike – they need guidance, a little support, and eventually the confidence to go on their own. Chat about things like what’s okay to share online, how to spot red flags, and what to do if they ever feel uncomfortable. These talks don’t have to be one big serious sit-down; a few honest, relaxed conversations can go a long way in helping your kid feel safe and supported online.

Parents agree: