As students settle back into their classrooms and online learning environments, it’s essential to equip them with the skills to navigate digital spaces safely. With more time spent on screens and increased interaction through apps and devices, the risk of cyberbullying becomes more significant.

Parents play a crucial role in helping children identify, respond to, and prevent harmful online behavior. Research shows that nearly 60% of teens have experienced cyberbullying—yet many of these incidents go unreported. As digital communication becomes a routine part of school life, empowering children with awareness, resilience, and the confidence to speak up is more important than ever.

Digital awareness

• Start by discussing what cyberbullying looks like — mean messages, exclusion, spreading rumors, or sharing embarrassing content.

• Help your child understand that these actions are serious and should never be ignored.

• Encourage them to speak up if they or someone they know is being bullied.

• Teach them to use privacy settings, block bullies, and never share passwords or personal information. Remind them that what they post online can have lasting consequences.

Digital monitoring

• Use parental controls and monitor your child’s online activity regularly.

• Learn more about parental controls for Apple products here, Android devices here.

• Internet Matters provides guides for setting parental controls on the top social media platforms.

• Keep communication open and honest so they feel comfortable coming to you with concerns.

• Encourage them to only interact online with people they know in real life.

• If your child is a victim of cyberbullying, save evidence and report it to the school or platform. Reassure them that they are not alone and that support is available.

• Resources for reporting these instances and additional information can be found at Cyberbullying - National Cybersecurity Alliance.

Modeling empathy and resilience

• Model respectful online behavior and talk about the importance of kindness and empathy.

• Help your child build resilience by focusing on their strengths and encouraging positive digital interactions.

• Teach them how to respond calmly, avoid retaliation, and seek help when needed.

By staying involved and informed, parents can help their children build safe, respectful, and confident digital habits that last a lifetime.

Protecting your child's digital identity

A digital identity is best understood as a virtual representation of a person in the online world. While managing this identity can be complex, it's not a responsibility reserved for adults alone. Today, children are stepping into the digital space at increasingly younger ages. This early exposure brings new challenges—and growing concerns. Numerous studies have highlighted troubling trends regarding children's online behavior and safety.

• Over half of 11-year-olds in the U.S. already have social media accounts, with Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok being the most commonly used platforms.

• Nearly 75% of children have encountered at least one form of cyber threat while online.

• While more than 80% of children say they would tell a parent about an unsafe online experience, only 39% of parents report actually being informed of such incidents.

It's essential for parents to actively guide their children in building safe and responsible digital habits. Here are key areas to focus on:

Digital Sharing

• Teach the value of privacy. Encourage children to avoid sharing personal details—such as full names, addresses, or school information—on social media or gaming platforms. Help them set their profiles to private.

• Be mindful of what you share. Even well-intentioned posts about your child can reveal sensitive information. Once something is online, it’s nearly impossible to take it back.

• Review app permissions. Before downloading new apps, ensure they only request access to essential data—and avoid apps that ask for sensitive information unnecessarily.

Digital Monitoring

• Use parental controls. Enable privacy settings and parental controls on devices and apps to help limit exposure to inappropriate content.

• Stay involved. Regularly check in on your child’s online activity and keep communication open about what they’re doing and who they’re interacting with.

• Promote safe connections. Teach children to only accept friend requests or messages from people they know in real life.

Modeling Critical Thinking

• Strengthen security habits. Help your child create strong, memorable passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. Remind them never to share passwords—even with friends.

• Raise scam awareness. Educate them about online scams, phishing attempts, and how to recognize and report suspicious behavior.

By staying engaged and informed, parents can empower their children to navigate the digital world with confidence and care—safeguarding their digital identity now and into the future.

For more information
UNICEF – How to Stop Cyberbullying
StopBullying.gov – What Is Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying Research Center – Tips for Parents
Apple Device Support
Android Device Support

Protecting Your Online Identity and Reputation (for Teens) | Nemours KidsHealth
Online privacy checklist for parents | UNICEF Parenting
Protecting Kids Online | Security.org
The Average Age for Kids to Start Using Social Media and How to Monitor & Guide Their Usage - Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton | Omega Pediatrics