Hub Four

Keys to the Car

The internet has opened a world that kids may not be ready for. We would never hand a 12-year-old the keys to the car without lessons, practice and supervision. A connected device deserves the same care.

Subject 01

Things to Consider for Children in Our Lives

A phone is a door to the whole world, and the whole world has a door to your child

  • Any device with internet access and chat can connect a child with strangers at any hour.
  • Children are still developing judgment, impulse control and the ability to spot manipulation.
  • Many online dangers happen quietly, in a bedroom, late at night, behind a closed door.
Subject 02

Taught and Monitored

Just like a car or hunting, proper safe usage must be taught

  • Teach first: explain the rules, the dangers and what to do when something goes wrong.
  • Practice together: use apps side by side before they use them alone.
  • Supervise and step back gradually: freedom grows as trust and skill are shown.
Subject 03

Failing to Monitor Causes Harm

Unsupervised access is where most harm begins

  • Predators, scammers and bullies look for kids whose online lives go unseen.
  • Kids often hide problems because they fear losing their phone or getting in trouble.
  • Monitoring is not about punishment. It is about being close enough to help early.
  • Make sure your child knows they can always come to you, even if they made a mistake.
Subject 04

Apps We Should Know About

Any application with chat capabilities can be used to victimize our children

  • Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), WhatsApp
  • Messenger, TextNow, Omegle-style video chat sites, Discord, Roblox
  • Gaming platforms and consoles with voice chat and private messages

What to look for in any app

  • Can strangers message or voice chat with your child?
  • Do messages disappear (making problems hard to see or prove)?
  • Does it share location or show a live map?
  • Can accounts be private, and can friend requests be limited?
  • TextNow and similar apps give a second phone number that parents may not know about.
  • Omegle shut down in 2023, but copycat random video chat sites still exist.
Subject 05

Snapchat Family Center

See who your teen is talking to, without reading their messages

  • Parents can see their teen’s friend list and who they have messaged in the last seven days.
  • Parents do not see the content of messages, which respects the teen’s privacy.
  • The teen sees a notice that a parent can view this information, so it is transparent rather than spying.
  • Set it up together, and use it to start conversations about new friends.
Subject 06

Set Boundaries

Simple household rules that prevent most problems

  • Devices are only used in common areas, not behind closed doors.
  • Phones charge overnight outside the bedroom.
  • Monitor online usage and approve ALL online friends.
  • Use chores to earn screen time.
Subject 07

Parental Controls and Settings

Tools to help, not replace, your involvement

  • Set up healthy parental settings on every device and app.
  • Use Wi-Fi access controls on your home router to set bedtimes and pause the internet.
  • Navigate through each application’s settings: privacy, contact and location.
  • Check parental settings periodically, because updates and new apps change them.

Parental device cloning: inform, do not spy

If you mirror or clone your child’s device, tell them. Secret spying breaks trust and teaches kids to hide. Transparency keeps them talking to you.

Subject 08

Self Education

Stay a step ahead of the apps your kids use

  • Apps and trends change quickly. Learn them before your child does.
  • Internet Matters offers free parent guides, leaflets and step-by-step setup instructions.
  • Download the apps your kids use and explore the settings yourself.
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