Internet safety for teens: How to keep teenagers safe online

Why internet safety matters

Between social media, messaging apps, and online games, there are more ways than ever for teens to connect digitally. Even school work has moved online, with many teens using the internet to study, complete assignments, and communicate with their teachers. 

With teenagers spending so much time online, good internet security is necessary to avoid harmful content. Teens also need to be very cautious about who they interact with online. Otherwise, they could end up being the target of cyberbullying, online predators, or identity theft. 

These risks come with real-world consequences for teens. For example, cyberbullying and online grooming can lead to long-term mental health struggles. If a teen is a target of identity theft or other online scams, that could have financial consequences that affect the entire family. Safe browsing practices help teens enjoy the good parts of the internet and stay away from potential risks. 

Top online threats and risks for teens

You need to be able to recognize online threats if you want to stay safe. Let’s discuss the most common online safety risks for teens. 

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can take many different forms. This can look like sending harmful messages, publicly posting humiliating or malicious content, or even exposing private information. 

Social media platforms don’t regulate private messages, so users can say whatever they want to each other. While there are some regulations on public-facing content, some harmful posts slip through the cracks. 

Cyberbullying on social media, via email, or through text messages is incredibly stressful for teenagers. These distressing messages can distract teens from their schoolwork, hobbies, and friendships, and even cause long-term mental health issues. 

Online predators and grooming

Sexual predators often use the internet to groom their teenage victims. These predators can lurk on social media, gaming platforms, and chat apps, and they can be tricky to spot unless you know what to look for. 

Predators often start by building trust with teens. Some will pretend to be teenagers themselves by using fake profile pictures. Some online predators don’t even hide their age, but instead will represent themselves as a “cool older friend” or “mentor.” They’ll often start conversations about the teen’s hobbies or interests, using manipulative tactics to create a false sense of security. 

Then, the predator will exploit that sense of trust by asking for personal information or even requesting explicit photos or videos. They may even ask for private chats or want to meet up in person. They’ll also ask the teen not to tell anyone else about their conversations and try to isolate them from friends and family. 

Adults should watch for warning signs that their teen is being targeted online. These include: 

• Your teen spending an increased amount of time online 
• Your teen hiding their phone or computer from you, or quickly closing tabs when you walk by
• Your teen becoming emotionally withdrawn or upset without an obvious reason

If you’re a teen and you think you’re being groomed or targeted by a predator, tell a trusted adult right away and stop talking to the predator online. Then, report the predator to the online platform where you met because this helps prevent them from targeting others in the future. 

Sexting and sextortion

Sexting is risky for people of all ages, but it’s particularly dangerous for teenagers. Many teens mistakenly think there won’t be consequences for sexting with a trusted romantic partner. However, if you send an explicit photo or video to someone online, those images could be re-shared without permission or even posted on public websites.  

Once these private images are shared without consent, they’re very difficult to remove from the internet. These explicit images can continue to cause reputational damage years after they’re first taken. 

For teens, sexting can also come with legal consequences. Many states and countries have strict child pornography laws, which means if you share explicit images of someone under the age of 18, you could face legal penalties.

Sextortion is another huge online safety concern for today’s teens. So what is sextortion? Sextortion is a type of blackmail where someone threatens to distribute intimate or explicit images of you if you don’t do what they ask. The cybercriminals who run sextortion schemes often ask for money or demand the victim send them even more sexual content. 

The rise of generative AI technology has made sextortion more common than ever. Cybercriminals can use generative AI to create explicit deepfake videos using a teen’s likeness. This means a teen could be targeted by a sextortion scam even if they’ve never taken an explicit photo. 

Identity theft

Teens usually have a clean credit history, and that turns them into attractive targets for identity theft. Cybercriminals might steal their identities to apply for credit cards, loans, and other financial services. These crimes can affect your child’s future by hurting their credit score and making them ineligible for certain financial products or services. 

For example, teens targeted by identity theft may not be able to take out mortgages or apply for credit cards when they become adults. This makes it difficult to achieve financial stability. 

If your teen is targeted by identity theft, there are steps you can take to reverse the damage. In the US, you can file a dispute with the three major credit bureaus to restore your credit score. However, you’ll need to prove there was fraud involved, and the process can be lengthy. 

Phishing and online scams

Phishing is when someone online poses as a trustworthy contact, but they’re actually trying to steal sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or even Social Security numbers. Many phishing scams also focus on stealing your money or gaining access to your bank account. 

For example, a hacker might send you an email that says you need to change your password on Instagram. When you click on the link, it sends you to a fake lookalike website where you enter your username and password. Then, the hacker uses this information to lock you out of your Instagram account. 

Fake giveaways are also common phishing scams that teens might encounter. For example, someone on social media might claim that you’ve won $100,000. They’ll ask for your bank account information to “send you the money,” but will actually use it to steal money and compromise your identity. 

Because phishing scams are so common, teens should always be on alert when browsing the internet. Keep in mind that if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Before clicking on a link in an email or social media message, check the URL to make sure it’s legitimate.

Adult content

It’s easy for teens to come across pornography and other adult content online. However, watching this content at a young age can have serious negative consequences. 

For example, watching pornography can distort a teenager’s view of romantic relationships. Early exposure to this material can warp a teen’s perception of consent and intimacy, making it difficult to develop healthy relationships as an adult. 

Watching adult content can also lead to body image issues and low self-esteem in teens. That’s because pornography often sets unrealistic expectations of what healthy bodies should look like. 

To prevent teens from watching adult content, parents can use NordVPN’s adult site blocking feature on their devices. This feature automatically filters out unsafe adult websites so your teens can browse the web safely. 

Internet safety tips for teens

While the internet is full of threats, there are plenty of things you can do to protect yourself. The more knowledge you have, the safer you will be. Use these internet safety tips for teenagers when you’re online. 

• Protect your personal information online: Avoid sharing sensitive data like your full name, address, phone number, Social Security number, bank account information, or personal photos online unless it’s a trusted platform or contact. If you do need to share sensitive information, always ask a parent or guardian first. To reduce your exposure to threats, review your privacy settings on all social media platforms and limit who can see your posts. 
• Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication: A strong password paired with two-factor authentication creates a strong defense against cybercriminals. Top tips on creating a strong password include using a complex combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, and using a secure password manager to keep your login details organized. 
• Think before you post on social media: While social media platforms are fun, they’re also one of the biggest threats to online safety for teens. Before posting, think about if you’d want your parents, teachers, or future employers to see it. Additionally, teens should understand the privacy and safety features of the apps they use and ask questions such as "Is Snapchat safe?" and “Is TikTok safe?” to better understand the potential risks and how to use social media responsibly. 
• Recognize and avoid online scams: Use safe browsing practices and be cautious of suspicious links, messages, and downloads, as these could expose you to malware and phishing scams. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 
• Be cautious when meeting online contacts: If you want to meet up with a friend you made online, always tell a parent or other trusted adult first. Always meet them in a public place and bring someone else with you for safety. 
• Report abuse when it happens: If you receive malicious, creepy, or scammy messages online, don’t respond. Instead, tell your parents and report them to the platform you’re using. Reporting abuse isn’t a weakness, and it can help prevent others from getting hurt in the future. 

How parents can help keep teenagers safe online

As a parent, you can help your teen stay safe online. There’s a good chance you’re already familiar with internet safety for kids, but as your child gets older, they’ll want to be more independent, and there are some new threats they might encounter. Here’s what parents can do to support internet safety for teenagers. 

Talk openly about online risks

Talking to your teen about online safety and cybersecurity gives them the knowledge they need to avoid threats. Instead of giving them a one-time lecture, try casually making it a part of your regular conversations. 

To get the conversation flowing, ask non-judgmental questions about what websites and apps your teen likes to use, and whether they feel safe using them. Then, provide gentle guidance about safe social media use and avoiding scams. 

In these discussions, focus on building trust and answering their questions. Teens will be more likely to come to you for help if they know they won’t be punished. 

Set up parental controls and privacy settings

Adjusting the parental controls and privacy settings on your teen’s devices can prevent them from accidentally stumbling upon adult content or dangerous websites. Some parental control apps also allow you to block specific websites, limit your teen’s screen time, or even monitor their incoming calls and messages. If you also have young children at home, you may also want to set up a lock screen for kids on all your devices. 

Exact parental control options vary depending on the device and apps you’re using. For example, there are different parental control options for iPhone than there are for Android devices. It’s worth exploring both built-in and third-party parental control options to see what makes sense for your family. 

If your teen has social media, make sure their profile is set to “private.” Consider becoming their “friend” so you can see what they post. 

Make sure to have a conversation with your teen so they understand why you’re setting up these parental controls. Avoid locking your teen out of all their favorite websites, as this could create resentment. Instead, work together to find a safety solution that everyone’s happy with. 

Look for warning signs of trouble

No matter how hard you try and how much advice you give, your child may still face internet threats and tell you nothing about them, so you’ll need to stay aware at all times. You should look for the following warning signs: 

• Emotional or behavioral changes: If you notice intense mood swings in your child, especially after they spend time on the internet, it could mean they are dealing with online harassment or blackmail. 
• Sudden secrecy about online activity: If your teen used to be open about what they were doing online, but has started acting secretive, they may be engaging with adult content or talking to someone they shouldn’t be. 
• Avoiding technology: If your teen’s screen time decreases a little bit, it could be a good sign. But if your teen is suddenly avoiding the internet at all costs, someone may be cyberbullying them. Keep an eye on the situation and ask for the reason behind the change. 
• Unexplained financial transactions: Regularly check your teen’s bank account for transactions with unfamiliar people or organizations. This could mean a cybercriminal has access to their data. Have you noticed something suspicious? Involve your teen in alerting the bank so they know what to do if they encounter such a situation again.
• Excessive interest in harmful content: Have you spotted your child sharing abusive content? Or are they overly supportive of an influencer whose ideas are aggressive? It’s a red flag. Show your teenager that you want to understand why they’re interested in abusive material. Empathy can create a safer space to express your concern and educate them about the dangers of harmful content. 
• Self-harm: Obviously, this is a major red flag. There are many possible causes of self-harm, and online harassment is one of them. If this happens to your teen, seek help immediately from a qualified mental health professional.

Tools that improve online safety for teenagers

The right digital tools help keep teens safe online. These tools block threats before they reach your child’s device, giving both of you peace of mind. 

Use a VPN

A VPN is a valuable online privacy tool for everyone, including young people. It works in the background to encrypt your internet traffic and hide your IP address. This is particularly important when you’re using public Wi-Fi. Cybercriminals can use these open Wi-Fi networks to spy on others and launch man-in-the-middle attacks. 

NordVPN also comes with added safety features to help you avoid cyber attacks. For example, its next-gen antivirus blocks malicious websites and files and warns you of potential phishing scams. 

For even more cybersecurity protection, consider using a password manager and a strong antivirus software in addition to your VPN. 

Parental control apps

If you’re particularly worried about your child’s online activity, parental control apps can add an extra layer of safety. You can use these apps to block specific websites, limit your child’s screen time, or even monitor their communications. 

Keep in mind that parental controls aren’t always necessary. In many cases, open communication with your teen can help them stay safe online. If parental controls are too extreme, they can make kids feel frustrated and lead to more curiosity about adult content. It’s also important for teens to learn how to browse the web safely on their own before they become adults. 

However, if you do need to use parental controls, communicate with your teen about your decision and answer any questions they have. The best parental control apps block dangerous content without making your teen feel smothered.