Digital Safety – Raising Kids Who Don’t Go Viral for the Wrong Reasons
When I was growing up, safety meant “look both ways before crossing the street” or “don’t run with scissors.” For our kids today, safety also means: don’t post personal information online, don’t click suspicious links, don’t talk to strangers in a chat room, and don’t risk everything trying to go viral.
The internet has opened incredible opportunities for learning, fun, and connection. But it has also created risks we cannot afford to ignore.
The Internet Isn’t Neutral
The digital world is not a safe playground. It’s vast, anonymous, and unfiltered. While there are wonderful corners of the internet, there are also predators, scams, and pressures that our kids simply aren’t equipped to handle on their own.
And unlike the playground, where you can physically see danger coming, online threats are invisible. They can happen in the privacy of a bedroom with a phone in hand.
The Hidden Risks Every Parent Should Know
Oversharing personal information. A simple post that includes a school name, birthday, or location can put a child at risk for identity theft—or worse, direct targeting by predators.
Online predators. They don’t look suspicious. They pose as kids, build trust slowly, and manipulate. According to the FBI, predators are active on nearly every platform where kids gather.
Permanent digital footprints. What’s posted online stays online. Embarrassing photos, reckless comments, or risky videos can follow kids into college applications and job interviews.
Cyberbullying. The reach of bullying has expanded. Now, it can follow a child home, showing up on their devices at all hours. Studies show nearly 1 in 5 teens have been cyberbullied.
Scams and malware. Kids are targeted with fake game upgrades, “free” offers, or links that install harmful software. What looks like a harmless click can compromise privacy and security instantly.
Statistics That Should Make Us Stop and Think
Nearly 40% of kids aged 8–12 are on social media, despite the recommended minimum age of 13.
70% of teens admit to hiding online activity from their parents.
1 in 5 children ages 10–17 have received unwanted sexual solicitations online.
Over 50% of kids experience some form of cyberbullying by the time they’re 17.
These aren’t just numbers. They are reminders that digital safety isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Building Digital Awareness in Kids
Our job isn’t to make kids fear the internet. It’s to prepare them. That means:
Teaching them that privacy is power. Not everything needs to be shared.
Equipping them to question strangers, even if they seem friendly.
Helping them understand that “delete” doesn’t mean gone forever.
Creating an environment where they can tell us if something feels wrong—without shame or punishment.
The conversations might be awkward, but silence is far more dangerous.
Dad’s Reflection
I want my daughter to have the confidence to explore, learn, and connect online—but also the wisdom to recognize danger when it appears. That means I can’t be passive. I can’t assume she’ll “just figure it out.”
It’s my responsibility to lead the way. To model healthy digital habits. To set boundaries. To be present enough that she knows she can come to me if something goes wrong.
Digital safety isn’t about paranoia. It’s about protection. It’s about ensuring that the internet is a tool for growth, not a weapon that harms.
A Challenge for Other Dads
Have the conversation. Tonight. Ask your child what apps they’re using, who they’re talking to, and what they post. Not as a drill sergeant, but as a dad who cares too much to be silent.
Because raising leaders today doesn’t just mean raising kids who are strong in the real world. It means raising kids who are wise, discerning, and safe in the digital world, too.