4 Ways to Keep Girls Safe on the Internet

February 7th, 2023

Are you worried about girls spending too much time online? You’re not alone.

A recent study by Common Sense Media reveals that US kids aged 8-12 use screen media on average for five and a half hours daily.

Screen media might be exciting for kids, but keeping them safe can be a headache for parents; 65% admit to being more concerned about their child’s internet safety since the pandemic.

In honor of Safer Internet Day, we have put this handy guide together to keep girls cyber-safe while giving you peace of mind.

Protect Girls With Parental Controls

Use these simple strategies to guide girls to safe content:

Install parental controls that will filter content, monitor messages, and manage screen time. Check out this guide for more details.
Put devices in full view, and don’t allow them in bedrooms (including yours).

Keep an Open Discussion Going

Once you know her online interests, you can deal with digital threats by discussing online safety. But while you will do your best to protect girls online, at some stage, understand that she may come across mature content, predators, cyberbullies, or persuasive unboxing videos.

All those things should be part of the conversations you have together. But before you sit down for a chat, explore her online world first. Start by watching videos together and asking questions about her apps and games.

Also, play some online games with her and investigate her online “friends,” if she has any. Finally, don’t forget to check her browser history to keep tabs on viewed content.

Here are four tips for dealing with specific dangers online:

1. Inappropriate Content

Explain that there may be disturbing content online; if that’s the case, she can always come to you for help.
Forget the ‘one and done conversation.’ Instead, talk early (age-appropriately) and often—preferably before she gets a smartphone.
Explain graphic content as pictures, videos, or cartoons that expose parts of our bodies we usually keep private. Don’t get into too much detail.
Create a safe environment so she can talk about anything.
Discuss what she has seen and be non-judgemental.
Praise her when she has come to you for help.
Explain what to do if she sees something upsetting. For example, close her eyes immediately, close the window or tab, and always tell a trusted adult.

2. Social Media & TikTok: Sharing Safely

Social media use is up among tweens. Research reveals 18% of 8-12 year-olds are on Snapchat and Instagram “every day” compared to 13% in 2019. But with Meta’s research showing Instagram use leading to body images for teens, how safe are these platforms?

And if your tween wants to set up an account, should you let her?

Jean Twenge—an expert on social media’s effects on teens' well-being—doesn’t recommend it. “First, kids 12 and under should not be using social media—it’s against the rules, and for good reason: They’re just not ready. Second, put off kids getting social media accounts as long as possible.”

Whatever you decide, we recommend watching this video together and discussing the following:

What information and photos can she share?
Why befriending strangers is a no-no.
Rules on the maximum number of online ‘friends.’
If allowed, which TikTok videos should she not post and why?
Explain identity theft and check her privacy settings regularly.
Model safe behavior and go easy on sharenting.

3. Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying occurs on social media, chat groups, websites, and games. With 75% of female tweens saying cyberbullying has impacted their feelings about themselves, it can have devastating consequences for victims.

“Research has shown a strong association between bullying and suicide,” says Scott Poland, EdD, Director of the Suicide and Violence Prevention Office at NSU Florida.

Cyberbullying is hard to prevent, but you can teach girls what to do when it happens. First, discuss the grandma rule: “Don’t post pictures or comments you wouldn’t want your grandma to see.” Also, teach her to stand up for her friends if they’re victims.

And:

Show her how to flag, block and report offensive comments.
Tell her to ignore bullies and walk away from her device to get a breather.
Roleplay potential scenarios so she has an action plan if it happens to her.
Model kind behavior online.

If your child is bullied, listen without judgment, keep your head cool, take screengrabs, and inform her teacher.

4. Kidfluencers

Exasperated parents will not be surprised that 61% of tweens watch online videos daily. Lots are cute animal reels, but unboxing videos and ‘kidfluencers’ might expose girls to insidious marketing messages.

Here are three research-backed strategies to help minimize influencers’ hold over kids and tweens:

Explain the purpose of influencer content—to get viewers to want all the toys. Then remind them that these kids get free stuff.
Mock blatant advertising so your child won’t take influencers seriously.
Praise personal creativity and compassion values over materialism.

Kids spend over five and a half hours online daily, so protecting them is more important than ever. Safer Internet Day, shines a light on cyber safety, and rightly so. These strategies will help you teach girls how to navigate her online world safely.