Today’s teens have grown up on the internet, and it is tied into everything they do. The majority of teens are regularly online throughout the day, even when they are in school.  

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly all U.S. teens (96%) report using the internet daily, with 46% saying they use it “almost constantly,” which is a significant increase from the 24% who reported near-constant usage a decade ago.  

The Digital Parenthood’s State of the Youth report shares some staggering statistics: 

• On average, kids spend an aggregated three months of the year online. 
• 86% of parents express some concern about their child’s online safety while 24% are extremely concerned. 
• Roughly one in three parents wish they had access to more resources to help them as they parent their internet-connected kids. 

There is no escaping the prevalence of technology in today’s world, so as parents, it’s important to invest in online safety for teens by understanding new technologies and deciding how to best navigate this journey alongside your kids. If you suspect a crime has occurred, contact your local law enforcement agency to report it immediately. 

Online Safety Begins with Communication and Supervision 

Open communication and supervision are essential for keeping teenagers safe online, fostering trust and responsible behavior. The internet exposes teens to risks such as predators, inappropriate content and cyberbullying, making it crucial for parents to maintain open dialogue so teens feel comfortable sharing concerns. Supervision ensures children interact only with agreed-upon safe contacts, while guidance helps them navigate scams, misinformation and harmful influences. By emphasizing moderation and encouraging offline activities, parents can establish healthy boundaries. Building a partnership with teenagers empowers them to use technology safely and responsibly. 

Wearable Tech for Kids 

Wearable technology has grown in popularity among teens because it combines functionality, convenience and style. Wearables allow limited functionality compared to smartphones, helping balance screen use. Examples of wearable technology include smart watches (e.g. Garmin Bounce, TickTalk) and fitness trackers (e.g. Fitbit Ace). 

Safety Tips: 

• Check the privacy policies of any wearable device and adjust settings to limit data collection and sharing. 
• If the device offers location sharing, limit it to trusted people or set boundaries to avoid tracking overreach. 

Online Gaming 

Online games such as Fortnite, Minecraft and Roblox offer hours of entertainment and social interaction, but they come with risks that parents (and teens) should be aware of. Safety concerns include inappropriate content and violence, unmonitored chat, online predators, the risk of personal information being shared, unauthorized in-game purchases and mental health issues. 

Safety Tips: 

• Set up parental controls to restrict who players can interact with and what content they can access. Many platforms and games have built-in safety features. 
• Teach children not to share personal information (such as real names, addresses or school names) within the game or with other players. 
• Where possible, play games together to observe and ensure that interactions are appropriate and safe. 
• Teach teens how to report abusive behavior or block unwanted players. Many games and platforms have moderation systems in place to handle such issues. 
• Ensure teens understand safe communication practices, such as avoiding chatting with strangers or sharing personal details. 
• Ensure accounts are secured with strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication (if available) to protect personal information and accounts.  

Music Streaming Services 

Many teens use streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music daily for listening to their favorite songs, exploring new artists and creating and sharing playlists. 

According to Common Sense Media, 81% of teens use music streaming platforms, with Spotify and YouTube Music consistently ranking among the top apps used by this age group. Platforms such as Spotify have social features, such as the ability to follow users and exchange private messages, which could expose teens to strangers. In addition, teens may inadvertently share personal information through their public playlists or profiles. 

Safety Tips: 

• Set up parental controls to limit access to explicit content or age-inappropriate material. 
• Teach teens about the risks of sharing personal information through music service profiles or social media integrations. 
• Encourage teens to use private playlists instead of sharing them publicly with strangers. 
• Discuss the importance of setting strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication to secure accounts. 
• Explain the risks of interacting with strangers in comments, chats or live streams on music platforms. 
• Ensure that location settings are turned off to prevent sharing geographic information through streaming services. 

Communication Platforms 

Communication platforms such as Discord, Guilded, TeamSpeak and WhatsApp provide text, voice and video interaction and are widely used for community building, gaming and other group interactions. While these tools have benefits, there are potential risks for teens. Common issues include exposure to inappropriate content, the risk of strangers accessing personal information and interactions with unknown individuals who may have harmful intentions. 

Safety Tips: 

• Privacy settings should be set to enable direct message filters and block friend requests from strangers. 
• Supervise use including servers and interactions. 
• Join trusted servers that are moderated by familiar people or organizations. 
• Enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of account security. 
• Teach kids to avoid sharing personal information and report inappropriate behavior. 

Mobile Devices 

Tablets, e-readers and smartphones have become essential extensions of many consumers’ lives, offering convenience and entertainment. However, they also present a range of safety risks, including concerns about privacy, cyberbullying, scams, unintentional sharing, data theft and location tracking, among others. 

Safety Tips: 

• Make sure your teens devices are locked with a password, PIN or biometric security like fingerprint or face recognition. 
• Adjust privacy settings on apps and devices to control who can see personal information, such as location, contacts and activity. 
• Use parental controls to block access to inappropriate content, limit in-app purchases and manage app downloads. 
• Encourage teens to be mindful of what they share on social media. Avoid posting sensitive personal details, such as location, routines, or anything they wouldn’t want strangers to know. 
• Turn off location tracking for apps that don’t need it and be cautious about sharing a real-time location with others. 
• Remind them to be cautious when clicking on links or messages from unknown sources to avoid falling for phishing scams or other online threats. 
• Regularly review app permissions to ensure they only have access to what’s necessary, such as the camera or contacts, and nothing more. 
• If they encounter bullying, harassment or inappropriate behavior online, report it immediately and block the offending users. 
• Use secure Wi-Fi networks whenever possible and avoid connecting to public or unsecured networks to protect personal information from hackers. 

Protecting Our Youth 

Online safety for teenagers is a crucial topic in today’s technology-driven world. By following these safety tips, parents can be empowered to keep their teens safe while engaging with online platforms. At the Florida Sheriffs Association, our commitment to protecting our youngest citizens is unwavering. Our youth programs are designed to help young people be safer and better prepared for a successful life. To contact your local sheriff’s office, visit the sheriff directory.