Wanting to keep our kids safe is a full-time job. When you throw in all the different social media apps, gaming platforms and chatrooms it can be daunting.  The key to helping with this task is keeping the communication open with your children, starting at an early age. 

Today it is not enough to talk about stranger danger outside the home. We also need to include discussions about strangers on social media.  Kids are learning to use the computer at a much younger age, which then leads into opening doors to the cyber world.  Teens alone can spend an average of nine hours a day consuming media.  

Here are a few parental monitoring apps to help get you started.  You can monitor, restrict, and manage what your kids are doing on their devices. Research and see what fits best for your family. 

• Net Nanny
• Canopy
• Qustodio
• Bark
• Family Time

In addition, have digital free dinners, even just a few times during the week, and talk about staying safe on the internet. A few topics to discuss. Never give out personal information online, never share with anyone if they happen to be home alone. If someone starts asking them uncomfortable personal questions, let your child know they can come to you.

At our Sex Trafficking Awareness training, we discuss these topics and many more. 

Let's work together to keep our children safe!

Stacy Iler

Executive Assistant Hope Ranch Ministries