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Helping Your Child Stay Safe Online
LFDCS is committed to producing technology-literate students ready for the demands of an ever-changing society. Digital tools provide students with endless educational opportunities for learning, collaboration, and fun. However, using technology also comes with responsibilities, making online safety important for both parents and students to know.
At LFDCS, we have safeguards in place, like GoGuardian, to help support a safe online experience. Students are also held to the Acceptable Use Policy (of Technology) that is described the Parent-Student Handbook. At home, it is important that as a parent/guardian of your child you establish similar safe internet practices and are knowledgeable about online safety.
We have put together a guide to get you started on making sure your child is safe online both at home and at school. For any questions, please reach out to Hali Castleman, LFDCS Principal, at .
The Social Institute. Social Media & Well-being: What Students Want Adults to Know. https://appna1.hubspotdocuments.com/documents/7235441/view/457097317?accessId=a1be9d
Popular Sites and Apps:
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Instagram
is a photo-sharing site. Users follow others to view their photos/videos and chat. Short videos are called "Reels." Users should keep accounts private and only allow those they know personally to follow them. Can be used to livestream. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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Snapchat
is a photo/video/story sharing app that claims to auto-delete pictures after a given time. However, pictures can still be saved so only appropriate content should be shared. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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TikTok
is a global video community. Users create and share short video clips. As with most apps, there can be mature and explicit content. Strangers can follow public accounts and instant messaging and comments allow people to communicate easily. Many users seek as many likes, followers and fans as possible. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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X (formerly Twitter)
allows users to share short statements, links and pictures. Accounts should be private to protect personal info and prevent strangers from sending direct messages. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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Facebook (w/Messenger)
is one of the most popular social networking sites. Personal information should be limited and care should be taken when posting and sharing. Can be used to broadcast live. Messenger is a tool of Facebook. Users can message and call their FB connections. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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YouTube
is a video sharing site that can be accessed online. Users can create profiles that other users may subscribe to. Profiles should be private. Can be used to livestream. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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Reddit
is a content sharing site. Users may post anything from pictures to videos to personal stories. Content can be mature and graphic in nature. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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Kik
is a mobile messaging app where users can instant message and share pictures with other users. There is often mature and explicit content in texts and photos on this site. Should be 17+ to use. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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Source:
Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Stop, block, talk: For caregivers. https://www.suffolkdistrictattorney.com |
Popular Gaming Platforms:
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Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and other gaming consoles
can be used to access the internet, including sites such as YouTube and more. Games are often played online and youth can connect with both people they know in real life and others across the world. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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Roblox
is a game/platform where users can create experiences, most often in the form of games. Roblox encourages users to play and chat with "friends" so caregivers should review what settings are enabled for their children and use parental controls. Be aware that while Roblox is popular with youth, like most games, there are many adults on Roblox as well. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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Fortnite
is a multi-platform last survivor standing video game. Users can play solo or in squads and youth often play with strangers they are paired with online. Check parental controls carefully and watch out for V-buck scams. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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Discord
is an app for mobile and PC that allows users to chat through text, voice, or video. Each unique channel is called a "server" where different games and topics are discussed. Risks include chatting with others and exposure to mature and explicit content. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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Twitch
is a live-streaming service that allows users to broadcast live while gaming, performing, and more. Twitch creators often engage with their audience through comments and chat on their streams. Creators often solicit “bits” or donations to their channel. Users can communicate with each other individually as well. For additional safety information, please click here. |
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Source
Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Stop, block, talk: For caregivers. https://www.suffolkdistrictattorney.com |
Conversations to Have at Home:
Talking with your child about their online experiences is one of the best ways to help them stay safe and connected. Regular conversations can help children understand the difference between online and real-life friendships, develop healthy screen time habits, keep their personal information safe, and be able to identify appropriate and inappropriate online interactions.
Please use the conversation starters below as a guide to help facilitate these conversations:
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"Can you show me some of your apps / games? Which one do you like the most? How come? Do any of them ever make you feel upset or worried? How come?" |
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"Can you show me how to use SnapChat? Can you show me some of the filters you use?" |
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"Can you show me how to play the game you like the most? Even if I’m not any good, I’d like to try it." |
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"Do people sometimes ask you personal info like how old you are, what school you go to, etc.? What do you tell them?" |
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"Has anyone ever asked you a question that was kind of rude? What about a question that was inappropriate? What did you do?" |
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"Has anyone ever tried to meet up with you? What did you do?" |
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"Has anyone ever sent you a nude? I know that happens and you can tell me about it. How about any of your friends? Have they ever sent or received nudes? Have you ever been worried about a friend?" |
Source: Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Stop, block, talk: For caregivers. https://www.suffolkdistrictattorney.com
Online Safety Risks:
The most serious online safety risks children face are online grooming and sextortion. Understanding how these crimes occur can help families recognize warning signs and know how to respond.
Online predators often create fake profiles that appear to belong to another young person. These accounts may seem new, have very few followers, or contain limited personal information. After developing a relationship and building trust, the predator may encourage the child to move to a messaging or video chat platform. They may then pressure the child to share explicit images or participate in explicit video calls, secretly recording or saving the content to use for blackmail or demand payment.
Per the FBI, this is called sextortion, which occurs when an offender coerces a minor into creating and sending sexually explicit images or videos. The offender then threatens to share those images unless the child provides additional explicit content or, in some cases, sends money.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation. Financially motivated sextortion. https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/sextortion/financially-motivated-sextortion
If You Believe a Child is being Targeted or Exploited:
If you think your child, or someone you know, is being targeted or exploited online, it’s important to act as quickly as possible.
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Stay calm and listen. If your child shares a concerning interaction, reassure them they are not in trouble and encourage them to share what happened. |
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Save evidence. Take screenshots, and save messages, usernames, profiles, and any other relevant information that can help law enforcement identify and stop the predator. |
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Block and report the offender. Use safety features to report the account before blocking the person from making further contact. |
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Do not give into demands. If the offender is threatening or blackmailing the victim, do not send money, additional images, or personal information. |
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Seek help immediately. Notify a school official, and report the incident to 1-800-CALL-FBI, or submit a report at tips.fbi.gov. You should also report the incident to the platform where it occurred, the CyberTipline (NCMEC) at https://report.cybertip.org, and your local law enforcement agency. |
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Seek professional support. If your child has been emotionally affected, consider counseling or other mental health support. LFDCS partners with Cartwheel to provide counseling services, and we are happy to help connect you with these services. |
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Source:
Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Internet safety for kids and teens. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/news/internet-safety-for-kids-and-teens |
Remember: You are not alone, and this is not your fault. Anyone who is being exploited deserves help and support. Reporting the incident promptly can help protect the victim and prevent others from being targeted.