10 Internet & Social Media Safety Tips for Kids This Summer
- Kim Bookout
- May 5
- 5 min read
Summer means long, sunny days, fun outings, and more free time for kids. But with all that freedom often comes more screen time—and that means it’s extra important to keep an eye on your child’s online safety.
The internet offers endless educational and entertainment opportunities, but it also comes with risks like cyberbullying, predators, and inappropriate content. Dr. Kim Bookout and Pediatric Health Partners are here to assist you in keeping your kids safe online this summer.
Did you know?
❌ 88% of explicit images of children online were stolen from social media and shared on predator sites (Internet Watch Foundation).
❌ Over 60% of teens report being cyberbullied or harassed online (Pew Research Center).
❌ 1 in 5 kids are approached by online predators (NCMEC).
❌ Only 39% of parents use parental controls on devices (Common Sense Media).
But don’t worry—you can take action! Here are 10 pediatrician-approved tips for safer screen time this summer:
1. Set Clear Rules for Screen Time
Unrestricted screen time can lead to poor sleep, attention issues, and even digital addiction.
Try This:
Use tools like Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, or Bark to set daily limits.
Create screen-free zones at dinner or during family outings—think of a picnic at Heritage Park!
Encourage 30–60-minute tech breaks throughout the day.
Kids now average over 7 hours of screen time per day (CDC)—that’s 2,500+ hours annually!
2. Educate Kids About Online Privacy
Many kids don’t understand that what they post can be public and permanent.
Try This:
79% of teens have shared personal details online without realizing the risks (McAfee).
3. Monitor Online Activities
Many children avoid reporting online threats because they’re afraid of losing their devices.
Try This:
54% of kids say they’d hide online activity from parents if they could (Cyber Safety Cop).
4. Use Parental Controls & Filters
Filters protect kids from mature content and online predators.
Try This:
Enable YouTube Restricted Mode and Google SafeSearch.
Install apps like Qustodio or Norton Family for web filtering.
Restrict gaming content on platforms like Xbox or PlayStation.
37% of kids under 10 have already seen harmful online content (Thorn).
“Filters and controls aren’t a substitute for parenting, but they’re an essential part of a layered safety strategy.” — Larry Magid, Internet Safety Advocate and Founder of SafeKids.com
5. Keep Open Communication
Kids should feel safe talking to you about what they experience online.
Try This:
Ask open questions like, “What’s something funny or weird you saw online today?”
Reassure them they won’t get in trouble for coming to you.
Teach them what to do if they’re contacted by strangers.
Only 1 in 10 kids tell their parents about cyberbullying (Cyberbullying Research Center).
“Kids are far more likely to talk about their online experiences when they know they won’t be judged or punished.” — Caroline Knorr, Parenting Editor at Common Sense Media
6. Teach Them to Spot Scams & Misinformation
Scams and fake news are more common than ever.
Try This:
Teach kids to avoid clicking “free prize” links or downloading unknown files.
Review how to spot phishing emails or fake influencer accounts.
Use Snopes or FactCheck.org to verify information.
32% of kids have fallen for an online scam (Microsoft Digital Safety Survey).
“Teaching digital literacy is now as important as teaching kids how to cross the street safely.”
— Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov, Digital Parenting Expert and EU Consultant
7. Model Healthy Tech Habits
Kids mirror what they see from parents.
Try This:
Have everyone plug in devices overnight in a shared space. All can “put their phones to bed” in a great spot like this one!
Enjoy “tech-free” family time during meals or local outings like the CAC Water Park.
Limit your own screen time to set a positive example.
Parents spend 4+ hours a day on their phones—often more than they spend talking to their kids (Statista).
8. Address Cyberbullying & Promote Kindness
Online cruelty can have real mental health consequences.
Try This:
Teach kids to block, report, and screenshot bullies—not respond.
Encourage kindness in comments, chats, and posts.
Talk openly about how online words can hurt just like in-person ones.
Teen suicide has increased 56% in the last decade—with cyberbullying being a major factor (CDC).
“Cyberbullying doesn’t end when school lets out—it follows kids home and into their bedrooms.” — Dr. Sameer Hinduja, Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center
9. Create Bedtime Tech Boundaries
Screen time before bed hurts sleep and increases stress.
Try This:
No screens 1 hour before sleep—try reading or puzzles instead.
Charge all devices outside the bedroom.
Use Night Shift Mode or blue light filters.
75% of kids keep phones in their rooms at night, which can disrupt rest (Sleep Foundation).
“Blue light from screens disrupts melatonin production, which delays sleep and affects mental health.” — Dr. Craig Canapari, Director of the Yale Pediatric Sleep Center
10. Stay Updated on New Apps & Trends
New platforms and “secret” apps pop up fast.
Try This:
Use Common Sense Media for app reviews and age recommendations.
Set Google Alerts for your child’s name to watch for inappropriate mentions.
Download the apps your child uses to understand how they work.
67% of kids have used a “Vault App” to hide activity from parents (National Cyber Security Alliance).
At Pediatric Health Partners, your child’s physical and digital wellness matter to us. The internet isn’t going anywhere—but with the right safety tools, boundaries, and open conversations, your kids can explore it safely. Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane wrote a great book to help families navigate the internet and social media. Check out Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World!
Pro Tip: Instead of just limiting screen time, offer fun alternatives like visits to Twin Coves Park, creative art projects, or enrolling in a local summer camp! Our April post had SO many fun camp options listed there.
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions on how to better help your kid to have a safe and successful space when spending time online. Dr. Kim and her team are here to help!
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