Online Safety for Students: A Guide for Parents and Teachers

By J. Mesa

As students head back to school, parents and educators worry about the risks that come with more time online. Cyberbullying, scams, and strangers with bad intentions make the internet a dangerous place for young people.

Students stay safe when adults teach them the risks and give them the tools to protect themselves. This guide covers both.

What are the biggest online risks for students?

• Cyberbullying. Harassment through messages, posts, and group chats
• Online predators. Adults who pose as peers to build trust
• Scams and phishing. Fake prizes, game currency offers, and messages that steal accounts
• Oversharing. Personal details and photos that can’t be taken back
• Inappropriate content. Material that is not suited to their age
• Sextortion. Criminals who trick or pressure a young person into sending an image, then demand money or more images

How do I set rules for internet use?

Before students use the internet for school, set clear boundaries.

• Agree on screen time limits and device-free times, such as meals and bedtime
• Decide which websites, apps, and games are allowed
• Keep devices in shared rooms for younger children
• Explain that you will check on their activity, and why

Write the rules down as a family agreement. Children follow rules they helped create.

How do I teach students to protect personal information?

One of the largest risks for young people is that others misuse their personal information. Teach them to keep these private:

• Full name, home address, and phone number
• School name and schedule
• Passwords, even from friends
• Photos that show their location or school uniform

A simple test helps: “Would I be comfortable if a stranger, my teacher, or my grandmother saw this?”

What is cyberbullying, and what should I do about it?

Cyberbullying is repeated, hurtful behavior carried out through technology. Signs that a child is a target include avoiding their device, a sudden change in mood after being online, and reluctance to go to school.

If it happens:

1. Listen, and stay calm. Don’t take the device away as a first response, because children then hide problems.
2. Save the evidence with screenshots.
3. Block the person and report them to the platform.
4. Tell the school if other students are involved.
5. Contact the police if there are threats of violence.

How do I talk to children about online predators?

Use plain language that fits their age.

• People online are not always who they say they are.
• Never agree to meet someone you know only from the internet.
• An adult who asks you to keep a secret from your parents is a warning sign.
• If anyone asks for a private photo, stop, and tell a trusted adult.

Make sure they know they will not be in trouble for telling you. Predators and extortionists rely on a child’s fear of punishment.

If a child is threatened or pressured for images, do not pay and do not delete the messages. Report it to the platform and to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at CyberTipline.org, or contact the FBI.

How do I encourage open communication?

A student who sees something that makes them uncomfortable needs to feel safe talking about it.

• Ask about their online life the way you ask about their day
• Learn the apps and games they use
• Thank them when they bring you a problem
• React calmly

Remind them that they can report any concern to a trusted adult: a parent, a teacher, or a school counselor.

What parental controls should I use?

Parental control tools and filters help you monitor activity and block inappropriate content.

• Device settings. Screen Time on Apple devices and Family Link on Android set limits and content filters.
• App and game settings. Most platforms offer restricted modes and privacy controls.
• Home network. Many routers include filtering and schedules.
• App store approvals. Require permission before a download or purchase.

Tools support your conversations. They do not replace them.

What is the right age for a phone or social media?

There is no single answer. Most social media platforms set a minimum age of 13 in their terms. Consider your child’s maturity, their need to reach you, and your ability to supervise. A basic phone or a device with strong limits is a reasonable first step.

How do I teach students about scams?

Young people see fake giveaways, offers of free game currency, and messages from “friends” whose accounts were stolen. Teach three rules:

1. Nobody gives away valuable things for free online.
2. Never enter a password on a page you reached from a link in a message.
3. Check with an adult before you buy, download, or sign up.

What is a digital footprint, and why does it matter to students?

Everything a student posts builds a record that can last for years. Colleges, scholarship committees, and employers look. Encourage students to post what they would be proud of later, and to ask before they post photos of friends.

How do I secure a student’s accounts and devices?

• Use a strong, unique password for each account, with a password manager for older students
• Turn on two-factor authentication
• Set profiles to private
• Turn on automatic updates
• Turn off location sharing in apps that don’t need it
• Cover or disable webcams when not in use

What should schools do?

• Teach digital citizenship at every grade level
• Publish clear rules for school devices and accounts
• Give students and parents a simple way to report problems
• Protect student data, and check the privacy practices of educational apps
• Train teachers and staff on current online threats

Are AI chatbots and image tools a risk for students?

They can be. Remind students not to share personal details with a chatbot, and that anything a tool produces may be wrong. Explain that fake images and videos of real people are easy to create, that making them of classmates causes real harm, and that it carries serious consequences.

Your next step

Have one conversation with your child this week about what they do online, and set up the family agreement together. With the right knowledge and tools, students enjoy the benefits of the internet and stay safe from its risks. If your school or organization wants a session on online safety, contact Cerberus Cybersecurity about our cybersecurity training.