Published Oct 2, 2025 ⦁ 6 min read

How to Protect Kids Online: 7 Practical Strategies

The internet is one of the most powerful tools of the modern age, offering endless opportunities for learning, communication, and entertainment. Yet, for parents, it also presents unique challenges. As online environments grow more complex, so do the risks facing children. From cyberbullying to privacy breaches, the digital world is both a playground and a battleground. How can parents ensure their children are safe, while respecting their autonomy and fostering trust?

Katie Kan, a cybersecurity expert and stay-at-home parent, tackles this question comprehensively in her talk, "Digital Defenses: Expert Strategies for Securing Our Kids in the Digital Age." Drawing on her expertise in application security and her personal experience raising two children, Katie emphasizes the importance of education, open communication, and thoughtful decision-making in safeguarding kids online. Below, we explore her seven key strategies for navigating online safety in an era of constant connectivity.

Why Online Safety Matters More Than Ever

The digital landscape has evolved rapidly, and children today have access to technology in ways that were unimaginable even a decade ago. Katie reflects on her childhood with a "brick phone" that only had basic functions like calls, texts, and the game Snake. Compare that to today, where smartphones, social media, and gaming platforms connect children to the world 24/7. This accessibility brings both opportunities and risks, including:

Cyberbullying: The anonymity of online platforms makes it easier for harmful behavior to go unchecked.
Misinformation: Kids are highly vulnerable to false information, often struggling to distinguish between fact and fiction.
Privacy Violations: Apps and devices often collect significant personal data, which can be exploited.
Mental Health Impacts: The constant pressure to be "connected" affects self-esteem and stress levels in both children and adults.

Katie underscores that there is no single "technical fix" for raising children in the digital age. Rather, a multi-faceted approach grounded in education and communication is essential.

1. Open Communication Is Key

The foundation of online safety is trust and communication. Katie emphasizes the importance of having regular, honest conversations with children about their digital habits. This isn't about punishment or control, but about creating an environment where kids feel safe sharing their online experiences.

Action Steps for Parents:

Make digital safety a daily conversation: Discuss what your kids are doing online, the apps they use, and any concerns they have.
Share your own experiences: If you've encountered scams or cyberbullying, explain how you handled it.
Normalize mistakes: Let children know they can come to you if something goes wrong online, without fear of blame.

"One of the most important lessons for kids is to know there’s always a trusted adult they can rely on", Katie explains. Building this foundation of trust early can prevent small issues from escalating into bigger problems.

2. Teach Internet Fundamentals Early

Katie reminds us that "once it’s posted, it’s out of your control." Children often don’t grasp the permanence of digital actions. Teaching them how the internet works - from the risks of oversharing to the potential for messages to be screenshotted and shared without consent - is crucial.

Core Lessons to Teach:

Digital Permanence: Explain that photos, messages, and posts can be saved and shared indefinitely.
Privacy Basics: Show them how to limit what they share, such as avoiding personal information in their usernames or bios.
Critical Thinking: Help kids evaluate the credibility of what they see online and question the motives behind certain content.

3. Limit and Monitor Device Usage Thoughtfully

Katie urges parents to strike a balance between oversight and autonomy. Surveillance apps or spyware may seem like a solution, but they often erode trust and create a "surveillance culture." Instead, monitoring should be transparent and involve the child in decision-making.

Better Approaches to Monitoring:

Set Boundaries: Decide together on screen time limits and appropriate apps.
Discuss Tracking Apps: If using location-tracking or monitoring tools, talk openly about why they’re necessary.
Encourage Off-Screen Activities: Help your child develop hobbies and friendships outside the digital world.

"It’s about trust", Katie says. "If you feel you need to monitor them secretly, maybe they’re not ready for that device."

Katie strongly cautions against using children as "content" on social media. Family vlogs and public posts featuring children can expose them to privacy violations, bullying, or even physical danger.

Who can see this post? Adjust privacy settings to limit the audience.
Does this reveal too much? Avoid sharing location details or routines.
What’s the long-term impact? Remember, digital footprints last forever.

Katie shares a personal story about a former colleague whose partner inadvertently revealed their children’s daily routines, including school and extracurricular locations. "Even I, as an old acquaintance, knew far too much about their lives", she says. This highlights the importance of discretion when sharing online.

5. Evaluate Apps and Devices Critically

Not all technology is created equal. Katie recommends thoroughly researching any app or device before allowing your child to use it. Many products marketed for children, like tracking watches, can unintentionally create security vulnerabilities.

Key Evaluation Criteria:

Data Collection: What personal information does the app collect?
Privacy Features: Are there parental controls or default privacy settings?
Reputation: Is the company trustworthy, and do they have a good track record with data security?

Katie highlights a troubling example: a smartwatch marketed for kids that included a microphone capable of eavesdropping on nearby conversations. While the intention may have been safety, the potential privacy violations outweighed the benefits.

Social media platforms and games like Roblox often attract younger users, but they aren’t always designed with children’s well-being in mind. While platforms like Instagram and Roblox have introduced parental controls, Katie remains skeptical, noting that these companies are ultimately driven by profit.

Age-Appropriate Access: Ensure children only use platforms designed for their age group.
Review Parental Controls: Familiarize yourself with the tools available on the apps your child uses.
Stay Involved: Play the games or explore the platforms alongside your child to understand their appeal and risks.

Katie also notes that some platforms require parents to create their own accounts to monitor their children’s activity. While this might be helpful, it can also feel like a ploy to attract more users.

7. Avoid Over-Surveillance

Katie challenges the notion that constant surveillance equals good parenting. She warns that over-monitoring can teach children that being watched is an act of love, setting them up to accept coercion or control in future relationships.

Alternatives to Over-Surveillance:

Build Trust: Encourage kids to self-regulate by involving them in decisions about their online activity.
Focus on Education: Equip them with the knowledge to navigate online risks independently.
Be Present: Instead of relying solely on tracking apps, establish guidelines and be actively involved in their digital life.

Key Takeaways

Open Communication Is Essential: Make digital safety an ongoing conversation with your child.
Teach Online Etiquette and Risks: Emphasize the permanence of digital actions and the importance of privacy.
Avoid Surveillance Culture: Trust and educate your child instead of relying on secret monitoring tools.
Be Critical of Technology: Research apps and devices to ensure they prioritize privacy and security.
Limit Sharing Child Content: Protect your child’s digital footprint by being cautious about what you post online.
Understand Social Pressures: Teach kids that it’s okay to be different and to avoid platforms or games if they feel unsafe.
Empower Through Education: Equip children with the tools to make informed decisions about their online presence.

Conclusion

Parenting in the digital age isn’t about shielding children from technology - it’s about empowering them to use it responsibly. By fostering open communication, staying informed, and approaching technology critically, parents can help their children navigate the online world safely and confidently. As Katie Kan aptly puts it, "It’s not about finding one perfect solution. It’s about building a foundation of trust and knowledge that will guide them for life."

Source: "Digital Defenders: Expert Strategies for Securing Our Kids in the Digital Age - Katie Colgan" - NIDevConf, YouTube, Jan 1, 1970 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wShztn0Q_Jk

Use: Embedded for reference. Brief quotes used for commentary/review.