Phone graphic with warning icons including a pylon, X, and warning icons

Mistakes can and will happen when your child is online. It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when a child or teen will see, share, or hear something bad. The important thing to teach children is to not let one mistake snowball into more mistakes.

Create an environment where kids and teens feel safe talking to you about mistakes they make online. It may be hard, but remember to not punish by removing a device or taking away screen time. Talk about what they saw or shared, why they took the actions they did, and how it affects them. Set rules and strategies for avoiding mistakes in the future.