Online privacy checklist for parents
How to protect your child’s identity and personal information online.
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Every click, share, comment and post we make online creates a digital record that can be impossible to erase. Growing up with digital technology, children today face risks to their privacy, identity, reputation and safety like never before. As parents, we can support our children with both the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the online world independently and responsibly. Here are some essential tips to help protect your child's privacy online:
Online privacy checklist
Supporting younger children
Tips for older children and teens
Online privacy checklist
Check devices
Make sure that every device your child uses – including smartphones, tablets, computers and smart devices (such as internet connected toys, speakers and watches) – are up to date and running the latest software. Doing so helps protect against security risks like unauthorized access, identity theft and data breaches.
Check the privacy settings for each device to minimize what data is being collected and shared (eg location and photos), and to control access to cameras and microphones. Keep webcams covered when not in use.
Check settings
Review the settings section of the social media platforms, games and apps that your child uses. Look for privacy, security and account settings to manage who can see their information and contact them.
Many of these platforms and apps also request access to your camera, microphone, contacts, photos and location. Review the permissions for each and disable or limit those that seem excessive or inappropriate for your child’s age and development.
Set parental controls
There are a range of parental controls that you can use on many devices, platforms, apps, games and internet service providers. These tools allow you to manage privacy settings, as well as things like what content is appropriate, screen time limits and online purchases. Try to familiarize yourself with what is available on each – if you search online for the name of the device, platform, or game and “parental controls”, you should find guidance and tips from online safety experts and other parents.
Check online safety sites and parenting communities for guidance. For example, internetmatters.org has a useful guide to parental controls by device, app etc.
Prioritize your family’s privacy
Review the tools that you and your family use, such as internet browsers, email providers and messaging platforms. Choose ones that prevent tracking, block ads and offer the most privacy.
Create strong passwords to help keep your accounts secure. When possible use multi-factor authentication for additional security. Consider using a password manager tool and never share passwords with others.
Use antivirus software to protect your devices.
Stay up to date
Privacy settings and related features are always evolving. Set a reminder to check every few months for updates and to adjust privacy settings as needed.
Support your child’s digital literacy
Privacy settings and parental controls are important tools to protecting our children’s right to privacy and keeping them safe online, but it’s important they learn how to navigate the online world responsibly and independently. Read on for quick tips on getting started:
How to get started with younger children
Start early
When your child begins using digital devices, find ways to introduce them to the idea of privacy both as a right and key to staying safe online. Use age and developmentally appropriate language to explain why we need to keep personal information safe and how what we do online leaves a lasting record or ‘digital footprint’.
Choose child-friendly platforms
Find suitable apps and games that prioritize safety and privacy for your child. Check sites like Common Sense Media for reviews and speak to other parents for their recommendations.
Establish family rules
Explain what information they should always be careful about sharing online, such as their full name, birthday, address, phone number, school name or other personal details. Remind them to never share passwords even with their close friends. Be mindful of your own online behaviour and how you can set a positive example.
Guide their online activity
Try out new apps, games and platforms together and help guide them in making safe choices. When introducing something new, make sure the settings are set to minimize data collection from the start.
Explore together how to create strong passwords and to use different ones for each account. Passwords should be something easy to remember but not for others to guess (so no personal information); over eight characters in length; and include numbers, letters, capital letters and symbols.
Build critical thinking
Explain to your child that, just like in real life, not everyone they meet online is trustworthy. Teach them to be cautious when interacting with others online, not to click on or share suspicious links or email attachments. Explain who they can trust with personal information like their home address. Check that sites begin with "https" and have a padlock symbol in the browser bar.
Stop and think
Encourage your child to stop and think before posting or sharing anything online. Remind them that once something is shared on the internet, it can be impossible to remove it, and it might be seen by others who they didn’t intend to receive it.
For parents of older children and teens
Encourage open conversation
A great way to start the conversation with older children is to ask them to teach you about their favourite platform. While you’re exploring together you can ask them if they have ever felt pressure to share personal information online or know someone who has? What would they do if they experienced an issue online? Explore the privacy settings and safety tools on their favourite platforms together.
Use the opportunity to walk through our privacy settings checklist together to make sure they’re familiar with what information is being collected and shared.
Encourage them to always come to you or another trusted adult with any questions or concerns and that, no matter the situation, their safety and well-being is your biggest concern.
Talk about our digital footprint
Encourage them to think carefully about what they do online – and how everything we post can potentially stay online forever. Discuss the risks associated with sharing photos online and how these photos can be seen and used by others. Remind them that our online actions can have real-life harmful consequences and may even affect our future school and job opportunities.
Our right to privacy
Make sure they are aware of their right to privacy, including their right to request access, correction and deletion of data. It can be an interesting activity to exercise their right to data access together and find out what information a social media company holds about them. Such “data access” reports often contain all the data derived from our online activities, including personal interests, behaviour and psychological traits. If you simply search for “data access report” and the name of the social media platform, you should find instructions on how to submit a request.
Respect their independence
Involve your teen in decisions about their online privacy. Talk through your concerns and listen in a non-judgmental way to what they have to say. As your child grows in experience online, try to find ways to empower them to take more age-appropriate responsibility while staying aware of their online activities.
