In this age of information overload, our kids need to be their own digital detectives. As parents, we’re inundated with warnings about online dangers — from phishing scams to predators lurking in the shadows of our kids’ favorite apps. It can all feel pretty overwhelming, right? But what if we could turn internet safety into an engaging family activity that empowers our little ones to protect themselves and quickly spot online red flags?
Here I’m sharing 15 fun, interactive ways to teach children of all ages how to spot online red flags. From creating “spot the fake” challenges to roleplaying potential scenarios, we’ll have your kids channeling their inner digital Sherlock Holmes in no time. As much as we’d like to believe we do, we don’t know exactly what our kids are doing or who they are interacting with online, so we really can’t be too careful.
Ready to make your kids digitally savvy supersleuths? Let’s dive in!
Tip #1: Start Young
It’s never too early for our little digital natives to learn the truth about the internet. When it comes to the online world, it’s always better to opt for safe over sorry. Even preschoolers can start developing digital discernment. Make it a game — show them two images and have them decide which one is real. Offer simple explanations about why one might be fake. For example: “That puppy is way too big to fit in that tiny box!”
Tip #2: Talk About 'Spidey Senses'
Encourage kids to trust their gut when something feels off online. Roleplay scenarios and have them point out red flags. Is the email from a sketchy sender? Does the website look suspicious? Talk through how those internal alarm bells can keep them safe.
Tip #3: Spot the Fake
Set up a weekly “spot the fake” challenge, where you find examples of misinformation, altered images, AI-generated videos, and other digital deceptions. See who in the family can identify the real from the phony!
Tip #4: Roleplay Risky Situations
What would your child do if a stranger tried to chat them up online? Or if they received a sketchy message claiming they won a free prize? Act out these scenarios and have them practice saying “no” firmly and leaving the conversation.
Tip #5: Teach Media Literacy
Help kids develop a critical eye when consuming online content. Dive into the difference between facts and opinions, learn to identify biased language, and discuss how information can be twisted or taken out of context.
Tip #6: Explore Image Forensics
Use free online tools to analyze photos and see if they’ve been digitally altered or created. Kids will get a kick out of uncovering the secrets hidden in their favorite memes and viral images. Bonus: You get to laugh and act silly together while teaching them something important and useful.
Tip #7: Fact-Check Together
When your child comes across a surprising or alarming claim online, don’t just take it at face value. Encourage them to dig deeper, cross-reference reliable sources, and verify information before believing or sharing it. This has been a interesting thing to do with my teenagers, especially during an election year.
Tip #8: Create a 'Celebrity' Challenge
Find some convincing celebrity impersonator accounts and see if your kids can spot the fakes. We live in a photoshopped, filtered, AI generated, and Instagram-curated pseudo-reality, and we need to teach our kids to spot the fakes if for no other reason than to teach them that nobody’s perfect and everyone is beautiful to someone. Bonus points if they can identify the real famous folks’ verified profiles.
Tip #9: Learn About Catfishing
Roleplay scenarios where someone tries to misrepresent themselves online. Discuss the dangers of connecting with strangers and the importance of being cautious about what personal info they share. Kids tend to be trustworthy and just assume the “kids” they are talking to are actually “kids” when often they are not so we have to be diligent in teaching our kids to never meet these people of give them personal identifying information
Tip #10: Discuss Online Privacy
Teach kids about the importance of protecting their personal data. Help them understand how information they post could be used by scammers, hackers, or predators. Set boundaries around what they can share publicly. Also, remind them that the internet is forever. It doesn’t matter if it “disappears” if it was visible, even for a second, someone could have screen recorded or taken a screen shot. Repeat after me, kids: The internet is forever.
Tip #11: Do a Social Media Audit
Regularly review your kids’ social media accounts together. Check privacy settings, look for any red flags in their activity or interactions, and have open conversations about what’s appropriate to post. As someone who makes a living online, I’ve always taught my girls to be extremely cautious when using the internet.
But, as their mom, we have a rule that we follow one another on all socials. I know, as much as the next parent, that kids have multiple accounts, that’s why I sit down and go over their accounts with them. At least in doing this together, they see what I’m doing and can have a little more discernment on their other accounts.
Tip #12: Spot the Sponsored Content
As your little ones get older, teach them to recognize when online content is sponsored or paid for. Influencers, bloggers, and even some news sources often feature “hidden” ads, and it’s important for kids to be able to identify these. In fact, it’s safer to assume any celebrity or influencer endorsement or product placement is more often than not, sponsored content. These “ads” are supposed to be disclosed but are not always. Opinions are often bought.
Tip #13: Discuss Filter Failures
Those perfect, airbrushed images on social media? They’re not reality. They are the best version of someone, on their best day, and then put through an app. Help your kids understand how filters, Photoshop, and other digital tools can create unrealistic expectations and body image issues.
Tip #14: Explore Deepfakes
The rise of AI-generated “deepfake” videos is a total game-changer. These photos and videos can look so real that it becomes difficult for most people to discern between what’s real and what’s not. It makes it hard to believe your eyes. Show your kids some examples and have them try to spot the fakes. Discuss how this technology could be used to spread misinformation or exploit people.
Tip #15: Promote Critical Thinking
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to encourage your kids to question what they see and read online. Arm them with the tools to think critically, verify information, and trust their instincts. That’s the best way to keep them safe in our digital world. At the end of it all, you’ll have to send them out into the world and they need to know how to survive in this great, big beautiful digital world without us.
