At this developmental stage, it’s time to start trusting that all of the work you put into teaching kids about good online behavior will pay off.
Just as you wouldn’t put your kid in a car at age 16 and say, “Drive, kid!” without ever talking to them about how to drive—and why speeding or driving intoxicated or looking at your phone while driving is dangerous—you can’t let a kid run around freely in the virtual world without first preparing them for how to do it.
When it comes to digital literacy, a smartphone is the car in this metaphor. And when you give your kid a smartphone, you’re ceding much of the control you have over their online activity. But don’t freak out! You’ve already done the most important job by having conversations with them starting in elementary school and staying involved in their digital lives.
Ask about the apps they’re using. Show interest in what they’re creating and looking at. Discuss the new, shiny online tools, such as AI. Be as involved with their digital lives as you are with their in-person social lives.
Here are some additional tips for making sure online safety and privacy are part of your teen’s back-to-school routine.
Talk—a lot!
The parental controls that worked so well when your kids were little? They just aren’t going to cut it by the time they’re in high school. Trust us: They know ways to get around them that you haven’t even heard of.
So, what's the solution? It's not about tightening the reins—it's about opening up the conversation. Teens deserve privacy online, just as much as adults do. But that doesn’t mean stepping back entirely. Stay involved. Build trust.
Show them how to set their own limits
An important part of parenting teens is helping them learn how to self-regulate—and that includes their devices. So, while your teen might want to spend all of their time glued to their phone, you can help them figure out when it’s time to put it down by having conversations with them about their digital schedule.
Instead of enforcing strict rules, model good behavior. If you have a “no devices at the dinner table” rule, make sure you're following it too. Teens are quick to spot double standards, and leading by example is far more effective than a “do as I say, not as I do” approach. Consider introducing “digital holidays” where usual screen time rules are relaxed. This can help balance structure with the freedom they crave as they inch closer to adulthood.
Stay ahead of emerging tech
AI chatbots, virtual influencers, and even AI-generated content are becoming a staple in online interactions. While these advancements are exciting, they also pose new challenges. Teach your teen about the implications of interacting with AI—how to discern between human and AI, and why it’s important to question the intent behind digital interactions.
As we’ve seen, tech isn’t always used for good. Phishing scams have evolved—with AI-generated content making it harder to spot fake messages. Deepfakes, which manipulate images and videos, are becoming increasingly common and can be used for malicious purposes. Talk to your teen about these risks and how to recognize and avoid them.
Discuss the value of privacy
Data privacy remains a hot topic, especially with new regulations continually reshaping the landscape. Make sure your teen understands the importance of protecting their personal information online. Review privacy settings on their devices and social media accounts regularly—and talk to them about the potential risks of sharing too much online.
In light of new data privacy laws, it’s also a good time to discuss how companies collect and use data. Empower your teen to take control of their digital footprint by being mindful of what they share and with whom.
Talk about the less savory corners of the internet
While the internet can be an awesome place, full of information and communication and connection, there are less desirable areas too—especially for teens.
First: Adult content
While it’s up to each parent to decide exactly how all sex-related talks go, online adult content is often left out of the conversation. But by the time your kid is in high school, they have very likely (almost certainly) been exposed to internet pornography. And while that knowledge is a hard pill to swallow, it also provides an opportunity for you, as their parent, to help them navigate this part of the world.
Talking about adult content is a great way to bring up conversations about consent, exploitation, and how what they’re seeing on screen is as close to real intimacy as Marvel movies are to the laws of physics. It’s in the teens' best interest that parents step outside their comfort zone and acknowledge that this is part of the “bird and the bees” today.
Second: Gaming
Many kids have a lot of fun and even make friendships with online games. But they might also find antisocial behavior in those spaces, like cyberbullying or even buying and selling malware. Talk to your teens about what’s going on while they game, and reinforce those values you’ve already established.
Third: The dark web
Internet-savvy teens might figure out how to access online marketplaces where illegal things – including drugs – are sold. If you’re worried about drug use for your teen, keep an eye out for the “Tor” software, which is used to access the dark web.
Update your security software
And, of course, make sure that your antivirus and cybersecurity software is installed and up to date. Make sure your whole family stays safe this year by using our all-in-one online guardian, Avast One.
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