Let’s face it—none of us were handed a manual on how to raise kids in a world where the Internet is everywhere. The digital age opens doors to incredible opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection, however, it also comes with very real risks. As a parent, you’re your child’s first and most important line of defense, guiding them to navigate the online world with confidence and caution.

   So, how do you keep your children safe online while ensuring they feel supported, informed, and empowered? Let’s walk through it together as you read this short blog post that we hope you find informative, and very helpful.

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The Hidden Risks Kids Face Online

   The internet is brimming with opportunity—but also with dangers that children may not recognize until it’s too late. Knowing these threats is the first step in helping your child avoid them.

Sextortion

   Sextortion is a growing online threat targeting kids and teens. Learn how predators operate, the warning signs, and how to protect your child from online exploitation and digital blackmail. Unfortunately, sextortion is a disturbing and growing crime where predators threaten to share private, often explicit, images or videos of the victim unless the victim sends more material or money.

   Many Low Life Scammers pose as teenagers, building the victim's trust through flattery, attention, or false romantic interest, just like scams that are often pulled with people on dating sites. Once they obtain compromising content, the manipulation then escalates and turns into blackmail.

   If this happens to your child, shame and fear can keep them silent. Make it clear from the start: they can come to you without blame or judgment, no matter what. You are their safe person—and their strongest ally.

   We need to stop all of this before it gets out of hand, as we all know, once it is on the Internet, it is on the Internet-Forever!

   Cyberbullying

   Unlike past generations, today’s kids can’t escape bullying at the end of the school day. Bullying extends into different forms of bullying, like Social media, messaging apps, gaming chats, and anonymous platforms. There just seems to be no end to how people can bully others, which simply means harassment can follow them 24/7. Bullies may spread rumors, post humiliating images, real or faked through different AI tools, or send cruel messages, wearing down a child’s self-esteem.

   If your child is targeted, respond with calm and compassion. Listen without judgment, reassure them it’s not their fault, and work together on ways to block offenders, report abuse, and restore their sense of safety. Bullying is simply not needed, or appreciated, and it needs to be stopped before it gets out of hand.

   Inappropriate Content

   Even with filters in place, children can stumble upon violent, explicit, or otherwise disturbing content—most of the time by complete accident, and sometimes through peer sharing.

   If it happens, respond with understanding rather than anger. Encourage open dialogue so you can address what they’ve seen and take steps—such as updating filters—to prevent future exposure, plus depending on how the content was shared, locate a filter that will block unwanted content to protect our children's eyes and minds.

   Online Predators

   Predators are just like Low Life Scammers, as they aren’t confined to shady corners of the web. They often operate on popular apps and games, posing as friendly peers. They work slowly, building trust before pushing boundaries.

   Teach your child to recognize red flags, like secrecy, excessive flattery, or unsolicited gifts. Reinforce that they can come to you for help without fear of punishment. Sure, parenting is very important, however, make your child feel safe in knowing that they can depend on you as their best friend who will protect them at all cost.

   Internet Addiction

   With endless entertainment and social interaction at their fingertips, it’s easy for kids to lose track of time online. Excessive use can disrupt sleep, harm academic performance, and limit face-to-face interactions with friends and family.

   Combat this by setting healthy online boundaries—limit daily computer time, whether it be social media, games, research, etc. Plus, by all means restrict device use in bedrooms where they can easily be manipulated, and avoid these distractions at mealtimes, and encourage offline activities for building healthy relationships with friends and family.

 

Current Trends Putting Kids at Risk

      Awareness of real-world examples can make online dangers more tangible for kids.

• The “764 Threat”: A disturbing trend where children receive messages warning of harm unless they complete certain tasks or forward messages. The fear feels real and leaves kids often scared for their life—even if the threat isn’t real. The FBI is investigating thousands of cases and there seems to be no end in sight.

• Gaming Scams: Fake “freebie” links promise rewards like V-Bucks or Robux but lead to phishing sites or malware. Teach your child that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This malware and virus programs are also out to steal your passwords, and other confidential information, and even hack webcams to obtain images for further, future blackmail.

• Fake Friend Requests: Catfishing through fake social media profiles is on the rise. Encourage kids to accept requests only from people they know in real life, and simply delete anyone they don't know.

 

7 Proven Strategies to Keep Kids Safe Online

   1. Have Age-Appropriate, Ongoing Conversations

   Online safety isn’t a single talk—it’s an ongoing discussion that evolves as your child grows. Start with basics for young kids and move toward complex topics like privacy, sextortion, and dealing with cyberbullying as they mature.

   2. Teach Critical Thinking

   Help kids understand that the Internet contains both truth and deception. Encourage them to question, fact-check, and verify before believing or sharing information.

   3. Use Real-World Examples

   Show your child suspicious emails or messages you receive and explain why they’re dangerous. Demonstrating safe habits makes online safety practical and relatable, and it is the best hands on teaching you can do for them to learn the ropes, as they say.

   4. Explain the Importance of Privacy

   Help kids understand that personal information—names, addresses, phone numbers, photos—can reveal more than they realize. Fewer followers can mean greater safety and much less a chance of some Low Life Scumbag from sneaking in through the cracks.

   5. Remind Them the Internet Is Forever

   Teach kids to think before they post, especially when they may be angry at someone, as online content can be saved or shared even after deletion. Encourage them to consider how they’d feel if their post resurfaced years later, basically coming back to haunt them for yet many more years.

   6. Model Good Digital Habits

   Show your children what safe, respectful online behavior looks like. Limit your own On-Line time, be mindful of privacy, and speak openly about your choices.

   7. Set Boundaries and Use Parental Controls

   Establish clear rules for when and where devices can be used. Use parental controls as tools for guidance, perhaps with a touch of surveillance, and adjust them as your child demonstrates maturity.

 

Final Thoughts

   Protecting children online requires more than just rules—it’s about fostering trust, open communication, and critical thinking skills that will serve them for a lifetime of safety. Your goal isn’t to shield them from every challenge, but to equip them to face the digital world with resilience and confidence, and to stay extra vigilant.

   Stay engaged, stay informed, and remind your child often: no matter what happens online, you’ll always be there to guide and protect them, and to be their best friend and most important confidant that will continue to protect them no matter what.