10 Social Media Safety Tips for Kids

Keep your kids safe online with these essential tips:

1. Set privacy settings
2. Think before posting
3. Keep personal info private
4. Know online friends
5. Spot and report cyberbullying
6. Set screen time limits
7. Use strong passwords
8. Be careful with location sharing
9. Understand digital footprints
10. Talk to parents

Why it matters:

• 95% of teens have smartphones
• 45% are "almost constantly" online
• Nearly half of young people face cyberbullying

Parents: Talk to your kids about their online world. It builds trust and keeps them safer.

Kids: If something feels off online, speak up!

Quick Comparison:

Tip	Why It's Important	How to Do It
Set privacy settings	Limits who sees your content	Use app-specific controls
Think before posting	Posts can last forever	Ask: "Would Grandma approve?"
Keep personal info private	Prevents identity theft	Don't share addresses, phone numbers, etc.
Know online friends	Avoid predators	Only connect with real-life friends
Report cyberbullying	Stops online harassment	Tell a trusted adult
Set screen time limits	Improves mental health	Use built-in app tools
Use strong passwords	Protects accounts	Mix letters, numbers, symbols
Be careful with location sharing	Prevents stalking	Turn off in app settings
Understand digital footprints	Protects future opportunities	Be mindful of all online actions
Talk to parents	Builds trust and safety	Have open, honest conversations

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Set Privacy Settings

Privacy settings are crucial for keeping kids safe on social media. They control who sees your child's content and personal info.

Why do they matter? They:

• Limit content visibility
• Reduce stranger contact risk
• Protect personal information

Setting Privacy on Popular Apps

Instagram:

1. Switch to personal account
2. Settings > Privacy
3. Set account to private
4. Control messaging

TikTok:

1. Profile > three dots
2. Privacy and Safety
3. Toggle "Private Account"

Facebook:

1. Settings & Privacy > Privacy Checkup
2. Adjust post visibility
3. Manage location settings

Snapchat:

1. Settings
2. "Who Can..." section
3. Adjust viewing and messaging settings

Check these settings often. Apps update frequently.

"You cannot just expect that the kids will jump into the world of social media, learn how to swim on their own." - Natalie Bazarova, Professor of Communications and Director of the Cornell Social Media Lab

Some platforms offer parent-specific tools:

Platform	Parental Control Feature
Instagram	Supervised accounts (13-17)
TikTok	Family Pairing
Snapchat	Family Center

These let you monitor activity and adjust settings from your device.

Key tips:

• Default to private accounts
• Limit messaging
• Turn off location sharing
• Review friend lists together

2. Think Before Posting

Kids share stuff online without thinking. But those posts? They can stick around forever, even if you delete them. And that can come back to bite them later.

Here's the deal:

• 92% of 2-year-old Americans had an online presence back in 2010
• Parents post about 1,000 photos of their kids before they turn 5

Before you hit that share button, ask yourself:

1. Who's gonna see this?
2. Could someone use this to hurt my kid?
3. Will my kid be cool with this post in 5-10 years?

Don't share:

• Full names
• Birthdates
• School names
• Home addresses
• Photos of kids not fully dressed

The risks are real:

• Identity theft: Kid data is hot on the black market
• Predators: 2.8% of parents got creepy requests for kid photos

"Parents should be aware that they're not going to know at the moment where a piece of information, photo or video, might go." - Leah Plunkett, Harvard Law School

To share safely:

• Use privacy settings
• Share with smaller groups you trust
• Ask your kid's permission as they get older
• Set a good example online

Bottom line: If you're not sure, don't post it. Your kid's privacy and safety come first.

3. Keep Personal Info Safe

Kids share a lot online. But that can be risky. Here's what parents should know:

Keep these private:

• Full names
• Addresses
• Phone numbers
• Birthdates
• School names
• Passwords
• Social Security numbers

Why? Sharing this info can lead to identity theft, stalking, or bullying. By 2030, "sharenting" (parents oversharing about kids) will be behind almost 2/3 of youth identity fraud cases.

Protect your kids:

1. Lock down social media privacy settings
2. Use fake usernames, not real names
3. Turn off app location services
4. Log out of public computers
5. Skip public Wi-Fi

Talk to your kids:

Make privacy real for them. Try this:

"Posting that you're home alone? It's like putting a 'No adults here!' sign on our door. Not safe, right?"

Parents, watch what you share too:

Ask yourself:

• Will my kid be OK with this post years from now?
• Could someone use this to find or hurt my child?

"Consider limiting the information you share. If you are posting a picture of your child in any stage of undress? If you are, really please don't post it on social." - Leah Plunkett, Harvard Law School

Bottom line: Once it's online, it's out there. When in doubt, don't post.

4. Know Your Online Friends

Kids make friends online. But not all online contacts are real friends. Here's how to keep your children safe:

Real vs. Online-Only Friends

Teach your kids:

• Real friends: People they know in person
• Online-only contacts: Strangers they've never met face-to-face

Scary fact: 82% of child sex crimes start with predators talking to kids on social media.

Red Flags

Tell your kids to watch out if online contacts:

• Use anonymous usernames
• Ask for personal info
• Want weird photos
• Push for secrets

Safe Online Chats

Teach your kids to:

1. Keep it vague: No personal details

2. Trust their gut: Feeling weird? Something's off

3. Bail out: It's OK to leave uncomfortable chats

4. Tell you: Report anything worrying

Parent Tips

• Practice "what-if" scenarios
• Set clear online rules
• Keep tabs on online activities (but respect privacy)
• Talk openly about internet stuff

"Your online friends are still strangers, even if you've chatted for ages." - The Good Play Guide

TMI Alert

Kids shouldn't answer questions like:

• "Royals fan? From Kansas City?"
• "Love dogs. What's your puppy's name?"
• "I'm a Pisces. When's your birthday?"

These "innocent" questions? They're fishing for personal info.

5. Spot and Report Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a real issue for kids on social media. It's online meanness, plain and simple. Here's how to catch it and what to do:

Cyberbullying red flags:

• Kid's upset after screen time
• Suddenly avoids devices
• Hides screen from you
• Nervous about messages
• Doesn't want to go to school

See these? Talk to your kid. Let them know you've got their back.

If your kid's cyberbullied:

1. Don't engage the bully

It usually backfires.

2. Keep receipts

Screenshot the nasty stuff.

3. Block 'em

Help your kid shut out the bully on social media and messaging apps.

4. Flag it

Tell the social media site. They can often zap the harmful content.

5. Loop in the school

If it's a classmate, teachers or the principal should know.

6. Get backup if needed

If your kid's really shaken, a counselor or doctor can help.

Cyberbullying's NOT okay. Make sure your kid knows it's not on them.

"Up to 43% of children have been victims of cyberbullying at some point in their lives. Up to 58% of those kids have NOT told their parents about their experiences." - American Academy of Pediatrics

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6. Set Screen Time Limits

Kids these days? Glued to screens. But too much social media can wreak havoc on sleep, grades, and health. Here's how to keep it in check:

Create a family media plan

• No screens in bedrooms
• Phones off during meals
• "Media curfew" before bed
• Age-appropriate content only

Use built-in tools Instagram and Facebook offer supervised accounts for teens. You can control daily app time, schedule breaks, and set "quiet hours".

Be the change Put your own phone away during family time. Trust us, kids notice.

Set clear rules Team up with your kids to decide:

• Daily social media time
• Device-free zones and times
• Consequences for rule-breaking

Stay in the loop Keep an eye on your kid's behavior during and after screen time. Make sure they're using good content and playing nice online.

"Social media shouldn't mess with sleep, school or physical activity." - Dr. Courtney Batt, Adolescent Medicine Expert at University Hospitals.

Age-based guidelines

• Under 18 months: No screens (video chats are OK)
• 18-24 months: Quality shows watched together
• 2-5 years: Max 1 hour/day of good programs

7. Use Strong Passwords

Your password is your online secret code. Let's make it tough to crack!

Here's how:

• Mix letters, numbers, and symbols
• Make it at least 12 characters long
• Avoid using personal info like your name or birthday

Try these password tricks:

1. Twist a funny phrase: "ILovePizzaWithExtraCheese" becomes "1LuvP!zzaW/XtraCh33se"

2. Combine your favorite things: "Un1c0rnDunkSh0t$" for unicorn and basketball fans

3. Use the first letter of each word in a sentence: "My dog Spot loves to eat 5 treats every day!" turns into "MdSlt35ted!"

NEVER share your password with anyone except your parents!

More password tips:

• Use different passwords for different accounts
• Change them every few months
• Ask your parents about password managers if you're forgetful

"Creating strong passwords is key to your child's online safety." - Center for Cyber Safety and Education

8. Be Careful with Location Sharing

Kids, watch out! Your social media apps might be sharing your location without you knowing it. This can be dangerous if the wrong people find out where you are.

Why it matters:

• Strangers could find your home or school
• Thieves might know when your house is empty
• Friends could feel left out if they see you're somewhere without them

Turn off location sharing:

On iPhone:

1. Settings > Privacy > Location Services
2. Turn off Location Services for all or specific apps

On social media:

App	How to Turn Off Location
Instagram	Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Never
Facebook	Account menu > Settings and Privacy > Settings > Location > Never
Snapchat	Enable Ghost Mode
X (Twitter)	Settings and privacy > Privacy and Safety > Turn off Precise location

Pro tip: Even with location services off, be smart about what you post. A picture of your house or school can give away your location.

Talk to your parents: They might want to use location tracking to keep you safe. Have an open chat about it. An expert from the Center for Cyber Safety and Education says:

"It's important to have open conversations with your child about why you're using a GPS tracker and how it will help keep them safe, emphasizing that it is for their protection, not to invade their privacy."

9. Understand Digital Footprints

Your online actions leave a trail. This trail is your digital footprint. It's everything you do online - posts, likes, shares, comments, website visits, and app usage.

Why should you care? Your digital footprint can:

• Affect job or school opportunities
• Impact relationships and reputation
• Be used for identity theft

Here's the kicker: 92% of 2-year-olds in the U.S. already have an online presence. And once it's out there, it's hard to erase. Even deleted posts can live on as screenshots.

So, how do you manage this?

1. Think before you post
2. Use privacy settings
3. Keep personal info private
4. Be careful with location sharing

When posting, use the THINK method:

T	H	I	N	K
True	Helpful	Inspiring	Necessary	Kind

Parents: Talk to your kids about this. Help set up their profiles. Check what's online about your family. Use the "five-question rule" before posting about your kids.

Remember: Your digital footprint starts the moment you go online. Be smart about what you share.

"If these things have happened to you, you've fallen victim to your digital footprint." - SPACETALK US

Your future self will thank you for being cautious now.

10. Talk to Parents

Kids, your parents can be your best allies in the social media world. Talking to them about your online life helps keep you safe and supported.

Why it matters:

• Parents can help with issues like cyberbullying
• They offer advice on tricky online situations
• Open talks build trust between you and your parents

A Gallup poll found 83% of Gen Z kids find it helpful to chat with parents about social media. That's huge!

Tips for talking to your parents:

• Be honest about good and bad experiences
• Ask questions when you're unsure
• Team up to set healthy social media rules

Your parents were kids once too. They might not be social media experts, but they care about you.

"Continue to communicate. It's important to follow the child's lead and to identify opportunities to foster ongoing positive parent-child interaction." - Kimberly Burkhart, PhD, Clinical Psychologist at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital.

Worried about starting the conversation? Try these:

1. Share a funny meme you saw
2. Talk about social media news
3. Ask for help with a tricky feature

Conclusion

Social media safety? It's a team sport. Kids and parents, listen up:

1. Lock down those privacy settings
2. Think twice before posting
3. Guard your personal info
4. Only friend people you know IRL
5. Flag cyberbullying to adults
6. Cap your screen time
7. Use tough passwords
8. Be stingy with location sharing
9. Remember: online actions leave traces
10. Keep parents in the loop

The internet's a blast, but it's got its pitfalls. Check this out: 95% of teens have smartphones, and 45% are "almost constantly" online. That's a LOT of screen time.

"Nearly half of all young people have been victimized by cyberbullying." - Internet Safety 101

Yikes. That's why these tips matter. Play it smart, and you can enjoy social media without the drama.

Parents, you're not off the hook. Talk to your kids about their online world. It builds trust and keeps them safer. And kids, if something feels off online? Speak up.

FAQs

How can kids be safe on social media?

Here's how kids can stay safe on social media:

• Lock down those privacy settings
• Keep personal info under wraps
• Only friend people they know IRL
• Flag weird messages to parents ASAP
• Use the "Grandma test" for posts
• Cap screen time at 1-2 hours daily (outside school)

How do parents protect their child from social media?

Parents, here's your social media safety playbook:

• Use parental controls to block sketchy content
• Set firm time limits on device use
• Keep devices in family areas (no bedroom scrolling!)
• Talk openly about online safety - often
• Team up to check privacy settings
• Teach kids to spot and report cyberbullying

How do you teach children about internet safety?

Teaching internet safety? Try these tactics:

• Chat regularly about what's happening online
• Break down risks in ways kids get
• Play "spot the fake profile" together
• Act out cyberbullying scenarios
• Introduce the "THINK" rule for posting:
  • T - True?
  • H - Helpful?
  • I - Inspiring?
  • N - Necessary?
  • K - Kind?