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The internet offers powerful opportunities for learning and connection, but it also poses real risks for children and teens.
Angie Morris, Nursing Manager at the Sexual Assault Treatment Center at Community Hospital Anderson, has seen how online spaces put kids at risk. She stresses that active parental involvement is the most effective protection.
Below, she shares practical advice to help parents keep their kids safe online.
The biggest online risk isn’t technology—it’s unsupervised use. Conversations, supervision, and clear boundaries are the most effective safeguards. Children and teens face online risks such as:
Exposure to Inappropriate Content: From violent videos to explicit material, harmful content is just a click away.
Predators and Online Grooming: Strangers can use social media and gaming platforms to build trust and exploit children.
Cyberbullying and Harassment: Hurtful messages and public shaming can damage self-esteem and mental health.
Social Pressure and Mental Health Strain: Likes, followers, and trends can create unhealthy comparisons and anxiety.
Privacy Risks and Data Exposure: Personal information can be shared or stolen without kids realizing the consequences.
Sextortion and Image-Based Abuse: Exploiters may pressure kids to share intimate images and then threaten to expose them.
App and Game Features That Keep Kids Hooked: Endless scrolling and gaming loops are designed to keep kids hooked.
Online Challenges and Dangerous Trends: Viral stunts can lead to injuries or worse.
Bottom Line: Their brains are wired to learn, explore, and connect, but not yet to fully protect themselves. Adult guidance and clear boundaries are essential.
What parents can do now:
Open Dialogue: Talk regularly with your children and teens about what they do and who they interact with online.
Set Clear Boundaries and Expectations: Define screen time limits and acceptable platforms.
Don’t Expect Kids to Self-Regulate: Children can’t safely manage apps, games, or screen time on their own. Research shows that brain development limits their ability to recognize risk, making trusted adult guidance and clear boundaries essential.
Stay Involved: Know which apps they use and which friends they interact with.
Use Parental Controls and Monitoring Apps: Helpful tools, but not a substitute for supervision.
Teach Digital Safety Skills: Explain why privacy matters and how to spot red flags.
Model Healthy Digital Behavior: Show balance in your own tech use.
Be a Safe Person: Let your child or teen know they can come to you without fear if something goes wrong.
These behaviors may indicate that your child or teen is facing online risks:
If your child or teen has been victimized online, you are not alone. Help is available. Resources include:
Technology will keep changing, but your involvement matters. Stay connected, talk openly, and always be their safe place.
