Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. There are fun reasons for your child to be online. Learning new ideas, playing games, and connecting with friends are just a few. But there are some safety issues too. One possible threat to your child's safety is strangers, or predators, who seek out children online. Here are some tips to keep your child safe. Explain that online, people can make fake profiles and pretend to be someone they're not. For example, they can lie about their age and pretend to be a child or teen when they are an adult. And they can pretend to like the same music or games as your child. They lie to build trust with children. You may want them to avoid sharing photos, phone numbers, and names of family members. Ask them not to say where they go to school and where they meet up with their friends. This is information that online strangers can misuse. This is often how dangerous online strangers engage with children. For example, if someone asks for their personal information or photos, they should tell you. If it's not a friend they know and trust in real life, they may need to block the person. Remind them that it's not safe to meet with an online stranger. Regular reminders will help keep your child safe. Look at the history of sites they visited, and watch for content that is sexual or not age-appropriate. Follow your child on social media. This will help you know if anyone suspicious is connecting with them online. If there are online apps or controls that you don't know how to use, you could ask another parent or a friend for help. These are shortened forms of words that people use to hide their conversations. You can go online to find lists of these words. These signs include: Contact your child's doctor if you have concerns about your child's behavior. If you are worried that your child is in danger, contact the local police. Current as of: October 24, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Current as of: October 24, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.org. © 1995-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.Topic Contents
Protecting Your Child From Online Strangers
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Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. Current as of: October 24, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardProtecting Your Child From Online Strangers
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.