Internet and social media safety for kids and teens

With kids spending more time online than ever – and more apps and social media platforms targeting young users – it’s important for parents to know how to keep their children safe.

The internet and social media offer many benefits, including access to information and opportunities to connect with others. However, they can also pose risks – especially for kids. These include cyberbullying, content that may contribute to self-esteem issues, disordered eating or body image problems, hate speech, adults pretending to be kids, inappropriate sexual content and online scams.

“It’s so important to be aware of what your child is doing online – and keep an open dialogue about what they’re experiencing online and what you’re experiencing too,” says Betsy Kennard, Psy.D., ABPP, Pediatric Psychologist at Children’s Health℠ and Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern.

Related podcast

Learn more about online safety for kids in this episode of Children’s Health Checkup

6 tips to promote internet safety

1. Create screen-free zones in your home

Screen-free zones can help limit how much time your family is spending online or on devices.

Bedrooms should always be phone and device-free because they can interfere with sleep. The dinner table is another great place to make phone-free. To help make that happen, have a basket that everyone has to put their phone in during dinnertime – and before they go into their room to sleep.

2. Keep gaming out in the open

Most gaming platforms have direct messaging, chat rooms and livestreaming options, which can be fun but can also carry significant risks.

Your child may have contact with adult strangers pretending to be kids who are trying to groom them. And younger kids may give up private or personal information that could lead to scams or financial exploitation.

Set a rule that video games – or other forms of media – must be used in shared areas. This can help you monitor their activities including who they are gaming or chatting with and understanding the game content. It is important to have them come to you at the first sign of something that feels “off – as well as adhering to any time limits you may have for gaming.

3. Use privacy settings and parental controls

Most apps have privacy settings to control who can send messages, as well as ways to add parents as “friends” and monitor their profile.

It’s important to maximize the use of privacy and parental control settings on each individual app you allow your child to access.

Parents should also teach their kids how to block potentially harmful people or content they come across.

“It’s so important to make sure your child knows that they should come to you or another trusted adult when they come across harmful content – and to teach them to never share personal information with someone they don’t know,” says Dr. Kennard.

4. Limit screentime exposure

The average age a child gets a smartphone is between 11 and 12 years old. And the earlier a child gets a smartphone, the sooner they’re likely to get exposed to social media and inappropriate or harmful content – and the more likely they are to develop unhealthy screentime behaviors.

“Spending more than four hours a day on screens or two hours a day on social media is associated with poor sleep and a range of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, eating disorders or body image problems, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors,” says Dr. Kennard.

Some families are now reverting to land lines and smartphone alternatives – so kids can still communicate with parents and friends, but not have the whole internet in their pocket, before they have the tools to handle it.

5. Check your own use and talk about it

If you spend a lot of time on social media and might like to spend less time doing so, that can be a great point of discussion.

“You can tell your child: ’It’s really hard for me to not spend so much time on Instagram because of all the ads that are always popping up.’ And then you can curiously ask them: ‘What’s it like for you?’” says Dr. Kennard.

Validating their experience by sharing yours can be a great way to create an open, honest dialogue about using social media in a way that’s in line with your values.

“Our phones and social media can be a great tool for connecting, but they’re tools that have to be managed so we don’t miss out on other important things,” says Dr. Kennard. “There are algorithms that keep us all hooked on our phones and we need to honestly talk to our kids about those.”

6. Be aware of the risks of AI and chatbots

AI and chatbots can be especially appealing to kids, but some of the information they provide isn’t always accurate or age-appropriate. Over-reliance on AI can also interfere with a child’s ability to think critically and solve problems on their own.

“Parents need to be very aware and mindful about what tools their kids are using online. And you need to have ongoing talks about it,” says Dr. Kennard.

Pay attention if your child seems distressed online, tries to hide their activity or if screen time starts interfering with school, relationships or daily life. These may be signs of problematic use and signal a need for additional support. Read more about AI and kids.

How to talk to your child about internet safety

Conversations about internet and social media safety work best when they start from a place of care, not fear or punishment. Approaching these discussions calmly and with curiosity can help kids feel safe opening up – and more likely to come to you when something doesn’t feel right online.

Instead of leading with accusations, try explaining why you’re concerned. Let your child know that keeping them safe is part of your role as a parent, and that talking openly about what they see or experience online helps you do that together.

If setting limits becomes necessary, focus on clear, realistic rules and consequences your child understands – and that you can consistently enforce. Smaller, achievable consequences are often more effective than strict rules that are hard to maintain.

Most importantly, remember that internet safety isn’t a one-time talk. It’s an ongoing conversation that evolves as your child grows. By staying engaged, listening without judgment and keeping communication open, parents can help their kids navigate the online world more safely – and with confidence.

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Children's Health is here to support all parents and families through our Primary Care Services and Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology programs.