The world we live in is constantly changing, and access to the internet and technology has become an every day part of our lives. Many of us grew up without internet until adulthood, but today it’s at our fingertips through smartphones, tablets, and computers. Children are being introduced to these devices at younger and younger ages.

The internet is about much more than just social media or Google. Online gaming has become part of children’s daily lives and is often their preferred way to connect with others. Statistics show that over 80% of children between the ages of 5 and 18 participate in online gaming (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2024). Social media use is even higher. According to Atlantic Health, “kids are using social media at younger ages, with notable growth between the ages of 8 to 12, and by age 10, approximately 40% of children will have a phone. By age 14, that number climbs to 91%” (2024).

Think about that for a moment. Not long ago, most people carried a flip phone used just for calls—or maybe a Blackberry for work. But with the rise of iPhones, Androids, and other smartphones, the way we use phones has changed dramatically. For most children today, their first phone is a smartphone—meaning they have direct access to the entire online world.

With kids engaging in online gaming, social media, and open internet access, the question is: Do you know how to keep them safe?

Here are a few questions to ask yourself about internet safety:

1. Do you know about parental controls?
2. Do you know how to access parental controls on your devices or apps?
3. Did you know there are additional apps you can download for even more protection?
4. Do you know what apps your child is using if you’ve never set restrictions?
5. Does your child know how to bypass parental controls if they’re in place?

If you aren’t confident in your answers, don’t worry—there are plenty of resources. Google and YouTube can walk you step-by-step through setting up parental controls and offer multiple options to fit your needs.

Example: Setting Up Parental Controls on Roblox
Roblox refers to its parental controls as “content controls,” which allow you to manage your child’s account settings and experience.

• Step 1: Go to Settings
• Step 2: Go to Parental Controls and select your child’s account
• Step 3: Go to Settings You Manage
• Step 4: Scroll down to Content Restrictions
• Step 5: Select Content Maturity
• Step 6: Adjust the slider bar to choose the maturity level you’re comfortable with. A description of each setting will appear. Note that restricted experiences are only available to 17+ verified users (Roblox).

This is just one of many ways to help protect your child online. To learn more, simply search “Roblox parental controls” on Google for step-by-step guides.

Of course, technology alone isn’t enough – conversations matter, too. Talk with your child about why these protective measures are important. Kids are smart, curious, and often ready to challenge your decisions. Being transparent, answering their “why” questions, and setting clear expectations can go a long way in helping them understand and respect the boundaries you put in place.