Do You Know What Your Children Are Doing Online?

As parents, we often feel overwhelmed by the rapid changes in the digital world, unsure of how to keep our children safe online. We want to protect them from harm, but at the same time, we don’t want to limit the opportunities for learning, socializing, and staying connected. We all know the online world can be an incredible tool—but it also comes with risks that we need to understand and address in order to protect our children’s emotional and mental well-being.

The Hidden Dangers of the Online World

Unfortunately, many parents may not realise just how many dangers are lurking in the online space—dangers such as cyberbullying, online predation, and digital manipulation. These risks can have a profound impact on a child’s self-esteem and mental health, sometimes in ways that aren’t immediately visible. Insights from the Netflix series Adolescence shed light on how young people are becoming more vulnerable to digital threats. The show reveals the emotional and psychological damage caused by online predators, bullying and the insidious ways these dangers can infiltrate a child’s life, often without our knowledge.

What You Can Do:

Set up safe browsing tools: Use parental controls and child-friendly web filters to block inappropriate content and prevent kids from accessing harmful websites.
Have regular check-ins: Create a habit of checking in with your child about their online experiences, just like you would with other areas of their life. Be sure to ask about their social media interactions without being overly intrusive.

Understanding How Kids Communicate Online

While the dangers of the online world are alarming, understanding how children communicate within these spaces is key to recognizing potential threats. Platforms like TikTok and Snapchat play a major role in how young people express themselves, and this new form of communication brings its own set of challenges. These platforms offer great opportunities for creativity and connection, but they also expose kids to significant risks, some of which may be hard for us to detect.

What You Can Do:

Stay involved in their digital world: Learn about the platforms your child uses. You don’t have to be an expert, but understanding their online habits can help you better monitor potential risks.
Encourage open dialogue: Let them know they can come to you about any uncomfortable situations they encounter online.

The Language of Digital Communication

What makes it even more difficult is the way children express themselves in these spaces. The words, phrases, and emojis they use online can sometimes be harmful, derogatory, or even bullying in nature. In Adolescence, we see firsthand how language is used in ways that may seem harmless or innocuous to adults but, in reality, can signal hurtful behaviour or emotional distress.

What You Can Do:

Learn digital slang: Familiarize yourself with the language your child uses, from acronyms to emoji meanings. This will help you understand what they’re communicating, whether directly or indirectly.
Watch for red flags: If your child’s language shifts to something more negative or distant, it might be time to step in and address their emotional well-being.

Keeping Up with the Ever-Changing Digital Landscape

As parents, it can be overwhelming to keep up with the ever-changing digital language. Kids today are communicating in ways that we might not always fully understand, and it’s not just about new slang—it’s about the tone, the context, and how even emojis can carry a more profound, sometimes darker meaning. It’s vital that we educate ourselves on the language and communication styles young people use today. Staying informed doesn’t just mean knowing the latest trends; it’s about understanding the emotional undertones that can signal a potential problem.

What You Can Do:

Engage in technology-related activities with them: Whether it’s playing an online game together or watching a TikTok video, engaging in these activities allows you to better understand their digital world and the nuances of online interactions.
Use digital literacy tools: Encourage your children to use digital platforms that focus on building critical thinking and self-awareness.

How Parents Can Stay Informed

You might wonder, “How can I keep up with all of this?” The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. By educating yourself and fostering an open, ongoing dialogue with your child, you can stay in touch with their online world. This doesn’t mean you need to become an expert in TikTok trends or Snapchat filters, but it does mean being open to learning and being involved in their digital lives. Ask them about their experiences online, be curious, and listen without judgment. Encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings about their interactions on social media—whether it’s positive or negative.

What You Can Do:

Educate yourself together: Watch documentaries, read articles, or take online safety courses as a family to raise awareness about online dangers and digital etiquette.
Encourage balanced screen time: Encourage a healthy balance between online and offline activities to ensure that their digital life does not consume their social or physical well-being.

Creating Open Communication with Your Child

Supporting our children in this digital age is about more than just monitoring their screen time—it’s about creating an environment where they feel comfortable opening up about what’s happening online. The emotional pressure they experience from social media can be significant, and knowing that they have a parent or guardian who is there for them, who understands the challenges they face, is one of the most important ways we can protect their mental and emotional health.

What You Can Do:

Normalise discussions about mental health: Encourage your child to talk about how social media affects their mood. This helps them feel comfortable discussing their emotions without fear of judgment.
Set a good example: Model healthy digital habits, such as taking breaks from screens and engaging in real-world activities.

Empowering Kids to Navigate the Digital World Safely

While the digital world can feel like an overwhelming and constantly shifting landscape, by staying informed, keeping communication open, and offering support, we can help our children navigate these challenges with confidence. Together, we can empower them to use the internet in a healthy, positive way, while protecting them from the risks that come with it.

What You Can Do:

Teach critical thinking: Empower your child to question content and recognise potential threats. This includes spotting manipulative behaviours or harmful trends online.
Use parental controls and monitoring tools: Take advantage of available parental controls and digital monitoring tools to keep an eye on your child’s online activity. This provides an extra layer of protection without completely stifling their independence.

The Digital Umbilical Cord

In today’s world, many young people are constantly connected online, creating a virtual umbilical cord that keeps them linked to friends and influencers. While social media offers great opportunities for connection, it also exposes them to potential harm. Predators are now using advanced methods, like deepfake videos and AI-generated content, to manipulate children and teens.

Privacy Issues: Platforms like TikTok and Snapchat allow for quick sharing, and many teens unknowingly make their profiles public, leaving them vulnerable to unwanted attention.

Online Predation: Recent studies show that online grooming and exploitation are on the rise, with predators exploiting vulnerabilities on apps like TikTok. These predators are also increasingly using AI-driven tools to manipulate and deceive children.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) recently revealed that online child exploitation has surged, with AI and deepfake technologies being used to manipulate images and videos. These AI-generated tools help predators appear more convincing, making it even more difficult to track and protect children online.

What You Can Do:

Review privacy settings regularly: Ensure your child’s privacy settings are set to the highest level on all platforms. Help them understand why these measures are essential for their safety.
Stay aware of emerging trends: Be proactive in learning about new online trends or apps your child may be using so you can stay ahead of potential risks.

**The Dangers Are Real: Insights from the Netflix Series Adolescence (2025)**

The 2025 Netflix series Adolescence provides an in-depth look at the evolving risks teens face in digital spaces. The series highlights how cyberbullying, online manipulation, and mental health crises are more prevalent than ever. It also sheds light on how platforms like TikTok and Snapchat target vulnerable users, subtly pushing them toward harmful behaviours. One standout revelation from the series is how subtle manipulation tactics, such as personalized emotional appeals, are being used by influencers and even predators to gain trust and exploit children’s emotions.

According to the series, cyberbullying is no longer confined to direct harassment. Instead, subtle emotional manipulation, such as predatory behaviour in online games or the fostering of unrealistic beauty standards through filters, is prevalent.

What You Can Do:

Watch media together: Watching the series or similar content together can help initiate important conversations about online safety and mental health with your child.

Mental Health in the Digital Age

The psychological toll of social media is staggering. TikTok’s algorithm, which prioritizes videos based on emotional responses, can push teens toward content that exacerbates anxiety, depression, and negative body image. New studies show that 31% of teens report feeling worse about themselves after engaging with certain social media content.

Body image: Apps like Snapchat and TikTok, which promote filters, have been shown to distort beauty standards, contributing to self-esteem issues and eating disorders. Teens, especially girls, often feel pressured to conform to these altered representations.
Mental health: Studies show that constant exposure to idealized content can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Parents are increasingly concerned about their kids’ mental well-being due to their digital activity.

Combatting Online Dangers: Empowering Parents and Children

While digital spaces are evolving, so are the tools designed to help protect children. Here are some updated tips for parents:

Social media literacy: As digital literacy programs are becoming part of school curricula, it’s essential to teach your children how to critically assess what they see online. Social media literacy empowers them to navigate platforms like TikTok safely, understand risks, and recognise harmful behaviours.
Setting privacy boundaries: Update privacy settings on TikTok, Snapchat, and other platforms regularly. These platforms are continuously rolling out features aimed at protecting children, including parental controls and safety checkups.
Encourage offline activities: Over-reliance on digital devices is a serious concern. Encourage your children to engage in offline hobbies, such as sports, arts, or nature walks, to reduce screen addiction and help them develop balanced lives.

Changes in Platform Features and Privacy Settings

Platforms like TikTok and Snapchat have introduced new privacy features to safeguard young users, including restricted modes that limit exposure to harmful content. For example, TikTok now offers a “family pairing” feature, allowing parents to control what their children can see and who can message them.

Improved reporting systems: Both TikTok and Snapchat have made it easier for users to report bullying and harassment, helping to curb online predation.
Child protection: TikTok has introduced AI-based tools to detect and block harmful content, such as explicit language, hate speech, or inappropriate images.

FOMO and the “Highlight Reel” Phenomenon

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat encourage users to showcase their best moments, creating a “highlight reel” effect that can negatively impact teens’ self-esteem. This can cause FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and feelings of inadequacy. New research shows that the more teens are exposed to these curated images, the more likely they are to feel left out or inferior.

Social comparison: Teens often compare themselves to the idealized lives they see online, leading to depression and self-esteem issues.
Psychological pressure: The pressure to maintain a perfect digital identity is a growing problem, contributing to anxiety and burnout.

Fake News and Misinformation

Misinformation continues to spread rapidly on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. As teens are highly vulnerable to these manipulative tactics, it’s important to teach them how to spot fake news and use fact-checking tools. New features like context labels and disinformation alerts on platforms are being introduced to help kids navigate misleading content.

Digital literacy programs: Schools are increasingly incorporating critical thinking skills to help children identify misinformation.
Parental guidance: Encourage your kids to question what they see online and discuss the importance of verifying information before sharing it.

Supporting Positive Body Image and Self-Esteem

The rise of body positivity movements has made a significant impact, but the pressure from digital filters, curated images, and social media remains a pervasive challenge. As young people continue to navigate these influences, it’s essential to address the ongoing struggles with body image in the digital age. Resources like Taryn Brumfitt’s Body Image Movement continue to play a crucial role in offering support for those facing body image issues.

The Growth of Taryn Brumfitt’s Movement

In recent years, Taryn Brumfitt’s Body Image Movement has gained momentum as an empowering initiative focused on creating healthy body image standards for all. By promoting self-acceptance and challenging traditional beauty norms, the movement offers an antidote to the harm perpetuated by online platforms.

Conclusion

As technology continues to evolve, so must our strategies to protect our children. By engaging in open conversations, teaching digital literacy, and using parental controls, we can ensure our children navigate the digital world safely. Let’s empower them to make informed decisions, build their self-esteem, and promote a healthy, balanced relationship with technology.