Summer Child Care Safety: What Every Caregiver Should Now
May 22nd, 2025
Keeping Kids Safe: Interactive Resources for Online Safety
By: the Dakota Children’s Advocacy Center
A break from the structure of the school year often leads to more screen time, making it even more important for caregivers to monitor kids’ online activity and talk regularly about safe habits. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Remind kids never to give out identifying information. We often talk about name, phone number, and address, but they should also never share information about their school or extracurricular activities.
- Know which apps your kids use and track which ones have chat features. If chatting is enabled, determine whether they’re talking to friends or strangers.
- Discuss cyberbullying and sexting with older children.
- Ensure sports and youth organizations have a clear communication policy—adults should not have one-on-one conversations with kids.
- Social media helps us connect, but it can be risky—especially for kids. Talk to your child about being cautious, especially if pressured to share personal info, engage in sexual conversations, or send photos.
The DCAC recommends Netsmartz, which offers videos and interactive lessons for kids and parents on online safety and recognizing red flags. Even with clear guidance, mistakes can happen—Netsmartz also shares steps to take if a child sends something inappropriate online. Keeping kids safe online takes ongoing conversations, clear boundaries, and trusted resources. With support and supervision, we can help children enjoy the benefits of technology while staying protected. Check out the videos below or visit www.missingkids.org/netsmartz to learn more.
