Internet Safety Resources For Parents

There are countless legitimate sites which provide excellent internet safety information.  This list is not all-inclusive but does contain a number of reputable sources.   (This site does not recommend any specific site over another and does not receive any compensation from any sources for listing them on this site.  These recommendations are merely a list of some available options.  As always, do your own research on any site, application, or software.)

NetSmartz®

NetSmartz is an online safety education program run by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children to be safer online with the goal of helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on and offline.

Internet Matters®

Internet Matters launched in 2014 in the UK with the support of industry partners including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin, Google, and BBC.   Along with the help of leading child online safety experts, they  offer professional advice and information available on tackling online safety issues.  Whether you’re looking for information for the first time or an old hand, this website has everything you need to help make your children’s online life fulfilling, fun and above all safe.

Connect Safely®

ConnectSafely.org is a nonprofit organization based in Silicon Valley which is dedicated to educating users about safety, privacy and security. Here you’ll find research-based safety tips, parents’ guidebooks, advice, news, and commentary on all aspects of technology use and policy.

Common Sense Media®

Since 2003, Common Sense has been the leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools.  Media and technology are at the center of kids' lives every day. From a very young age, kids use technology at home and at school to connect with friends and family and to document their lives and create digital content of their own. With more and more of life happening online, what catches kids' attention isn't always what's best for them, and what companies do with their personal information isn't always clear.  Together with policymakers, industry leaders, and global media partners, Common Sense Media is building a digital world that works better for all kids, their families, and their communities.

Childnet®

Since 1995, Childnet has sought to keep children and young people at the heart of all that they do.  They seek to respond to the risks that children and young people may encounter online, working to make the internet a great and safe place for children and young people.  Childnet works to assure that all young people are equipped with the knowledge and skills to be able to navigate the online environment safely and responsibly and to assure that those who support children (parents, caregivers, and teachers etc.) are also equipped to do so.  

Thorn®

Founded in 2012 by Aston Kutcher & Demi Moore, Thorn houses the first engineering and data science team focused solely on developing new technologies to combat online child sexual abuse. They bring together a team with deep technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to innovate and deploy new technology solutions at a much faster rate and are able to quickly assess whether new technologies can be repurposed to protect children from sexual exploitation through one of our three strategic pillars: 1) accelerating victim identification 2) equipping platforms, and 3) empowering the public.

Internet Safety 101

 Enough Is Enough® has been a leader in internet safety since 1994.  They created Internet Safety 101SM for parents and children.Internet Safety 101SM  is a widely-renowned resource and teaching series that paints a comprehensive picture of the dangers children encounter online. Through the Internet Safety 101SM program, EIE strives to educate and empower parents, educators, and other caring adults with the information they need to effectively protect children from Internet dangers. 

CEOP Command

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command is located in the United Kingdom.  CEOP helps keep children and young people safe from sexual abuse and grooming online. They help thousands of children and young people every year, as well as their parents and caregivers. While this organization serves families in the United Kingdom, they have a ton of helpful information relevant for parents anywhere in the world. 

Parent's Guide To Snapchat®

In 2023, Snap, Inc.® launched a guide meant to help parents and caregivers understand how Snapchat® works, the key protections that the application offer for teens, how to use the parental controls, and to answer common questions.

Customer Notice®

Consumer Notice® is a consumer advocacy organization dedicated to providing reliable health and safety information and empowering consumers to assert their legal rights. Their team works alongside consumer advocates and legal experts to educate the public on harmful products, drugs and medical devices, digital security, environmental hazards and personal injuries caused by corporate and individual negligence. This includes threats to children’s internet safety, invasions of privacy, cyberbullying, sexting and harassment.

Monitoring Software

There are a number of monitoring services for purchase online.  Every family has different needs & a different budget.  Below is a list of various options.  Review what works best for your family.

Boomerang

Boomerang® features a safe web browser & lets parents block apps.  It does not offer site blocking or monitoring but may be useful for parents with younger children when they use a device.  Most options are Android only at this time.

Bark

Bark® not only monitors texts, email, YouTube, and 30+ apps and social media platforms for signs of issues like cyberbullying, sexual content, online predators, depression, suicidal ideation, threats of violence, it also allows parents to block sites & set screen time limits.

Cocospy

Cocospy® has features including the ability to check WhatsApp, contacts, browser history, and call logs, and has geofencing capabilities.

Circle

Circle® controls any device connected to your home’s Wi-Fi.  It allows parents to limit screen time & block online content for mobile phones, computers, tablets, Smart TVs, and more. 

Google Family Link

Google® Family Link is free & lets you manage apps, control screen time, and track your child’s location.  It does not offer website content monitoring but may be useful in conjunction with other services.

FamilyTime

FamilyTime® can provide location data for your child & allows parents to manage screen time & block apps . Kids can also reach out instantly if they ever get into trouble with instant panic alerts.  This software does not include email or social media content monitoring.

MMGuardian

MMGuardian® may be useful for sexting and cyberbullying.  It keeps a copy of every text sent or received by your child's device so parents can read them word-for-word, even if your child deletes the texts off their device.  It also offers content monitoring, location services, and other features.

McAfee Safe Family

McAfee® Safe Family offers location services, website blocking, screen time settings, device activity, and other options for parents to monitor device usage.

Qustodio 

Qustodio® monitors social media & internet content, allows for app blocking, has a panic button, and read the texts your child sends & receives.  It also has location services and a friendly dashboard for setting screen time usage and other features.

Offender Watch

Offender Watch® provides a free app (paid add-ons are available). It will alert you if a registered sex offender contacts your child using a registered phone/text/email & monitors location. You will receive an alert if a child's device is within close proximity of a sex offender’s home.

Contracts

Contracts are a great way to teach your child and hold them accountable with devices and social media.

  • You both sign them.

  • Everyone knows the rules.

  • You can have regular family meetings about expectations.

  • Helps build responsibility.

  • Helps build trust for further discussions.

Additional Suggestions

1

TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT EXPECTATIONS AND SAFETY.

2

Set age limits on your child's device(s).

3

Consider monitoring software on your child's device(s).

4

Consider a social media and/or cell phone contract.

5

Review any application or software BEFORE allowing your child to download or use it.

6

Follow age restriction recommendations for videos/games/etc.

7

Consider waiting until 8th grade to give your child a smart phone or allow social media.

8

Regularly check your child's device(s) and social media page(s).

9

Implement device free areas of the home & Device Free Days/Times to limit screen time.

Erin's Law

Erin’s Law is a 501(c)(4) non-profit named after childhood sexual assault survivor, author, speaker, & activist Erin Merryn from Illinois. "Erin's Law" has been passed in 37 states.

"Erin's Law"

Erin’s Law requires that  public schools implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program.

Resources

Erin's Law provides resources & training for students age preK-12, school personnel, & parents.

Wait Until 8th Pledge

The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least 8th grade.  By banding together, this will decrease the pressure felt by kids and parents alike over the kids having a smartphone.   Consider taking the pledge with your child.

Talk to someone by calling 1.888.PREVENT

Stop It Now!

Stop It Now! was founded in 1992.  This non-for-profit organization  is a leader in building awareness around sexual abuse, developing and distributing prevention tools for adults and families, and advocating for compassion and accountability.

This organization provides help services, prevention education,  technical assistance and training, and prevention advocacy. Stop It Now! believes that ALL adults, including parents, survivors, family members, law enforcement, and professionals of all types are in the best positions to keep children safe and that EVERYONE has a role to play in ending sexual abuse.