Online safety tips for parents | Managing internet dangers

Peer-to-peer harm and accountability

While parents often worry about strangers online, Emma stresses that one of the most prevalent threats comes from peers. Cyberbullying, extortion and even sexual exploitation increasingly happen between children, sometimes as young as ten. What makes these cases particularly dangerous is their permanence and reach. Videos, images and messages can be shared widely, often with lasting consequences for both victims and perpetrators.

Children must understand they are responsible for their online actions. This includes not only what they post but also what they share, like or participate in (even passively) such as harmful content circulating in group chats. In South Africa, children as young as 14 can face criminal charges for online offenses, including harassment, defamation or assault-related content. Protection orders and disciplinary measures are also tools that parents and schools can leverage to address online harm.

By framing digital responsibility as both a moral and legal obligation, parents can teach children accountability. Understanding that online missteps can have real-world consequences, from legal action to reputational damage, is critical for helping children navigate social media safely. The permanence of digital content makes accountability non-negotiable: online actions are never entirely private and children must learn to act with awareness and integrity.

The cyberspace fallacy

A key insight Emma shares is what she calls the “cyberspace fallacy”, the mistaken belief that online actions don’t carry real-world consequences.

“As soon as you go online, you’re creating a digital footprint,” she explains. Videos, screenshots and posts serve as evidence that can be used in court, in schools and even by potential employers in the future.

To help children understand this, Emma recommends the “billboard test”: if a child wouldn’t want their content displayed on a giant billboard with their name and school, it shouldn’t exist online. This simple visualisation helps kids internalise the permanence and visibility of digital actions.

The dangers of oversharing online

Many children post personal information, school details or location data without considering who might access it. Combined with the anonymity of online platforms, this makes it easier for children to harm each other or be targeted by predators. Even seemingly innocent posts can have serious consequences for safety, reputation and mental health.

Mental health implications for children

The effects of excessive screen time and online exposure go beyond safety concerns. Emma points to a rise in mental health issues among children, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and other emotional challenges. Adolescents today face pressures that previous generations did not, from permanent online bullying to unrealistic online personas that heighten feelings of inadequacy and isolation.

Practical parenting strategies to protect kids from online dangers

Parents play a critical role in safeguarding children online. Emma shares several practical strategies:

• Limit device access: no phones or devices in bedrooms, particularly overnight. Sleep is crucial for emotional and cognitive development and devices often disrupt it
• Delay access to smartphones and social media: Emma advocates delaying social media use for children until they’re around age 16 and keeping smartphones out of primary school years whenever possible
• Set clear rules: smartphone contracts and ground rules for online behaviour help children understand expectations and consequences
• Educate early: digital literacy should start from a young age. Teach children to recognise inappropriate content, say “no” to uncomfortable requests and navigate online risks confidentl
• Use social scripts: pre-planned responses can empower children to handle tricky situations in gaming chats or social media groups safely
• Collaborate with the community: Parents and schools should align on rules and guidance, creating a consistent environment that reinforces safe online habits