For parents, keeping kids safe sometimes feels like a full-time job. Thanks to the internet, that job has become more complicated than ever. It’s not always possible to control what your child is exposed to online, even with careful supervision.
Stalkers are crafty and have always found new ways to get at their targets. But even though online stalkers have tools, information, and anonymity on their side, that doesn’t mean parents are helpless. You can protect your kids from cyberstalkers and stop them becoming a target in the first place. Here are five practical ways to protect your kids from cyberstalking.
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5 Ways To Protect Your Kids From Cyberstalking
The Dangers of Cyberstalking
Cyberstalkers and cyberbullies can be even more dangerous than their real-life counterparts, because they can follow their victims home. Their attacks reach into the places where kids usually feel safest, which can lead to serious consequences.
They can strike from anywhere — social media, chat forums, online games, and seemingly harmless apps. Children tend to be trusting and are often willing to share personal information with strangers online. Cyberstalkers know this, and they exploit it.
Often, the threat stays hidden until it’s too late. Parents teach children from an early age not to talk to strangers and to tell a trusted adult about bullies. But things are less clear-cut when it comes to online threats. Children don’t always recognise the danger, and parents don’t always have the time or tools to keep track of everything their kids do online.
Strategies and Tools to Protect Children from Cyberstalking and Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying rarely goes away on its own. In fact, it often escalates and becomes more distressing for the victim over time.
The best way to deal with cyberstalking is to prevent it happening in the first place. Here are five ways parents can protect their children.
#1. Have A Talk About Cyber Safety
Cyber safety is an important topic, and like physical safety, it’s something to teach kids as early as possible — ideally as soon as they start using the internet.
There’s a lot to cover, including password safety and account privacy. There are some helpful guides on this topic to help you approach cyber safety in a structured way.
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#2. Avoid Social Media or Make Their Accounts Private
Most major social media platforms require users to be at least 13 years old to hold an account. If your child does have social media accounts, it’s essential to talk to them about privacy and safety.
There are both obvious and less obvious dangers on social media that they need to be aware of. Where possible, set their profiles to private rather than public.
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#3. Turn GPS And Location Tagging Off
Many cyberstalkers aim to escalate their harassment into real life. They may be gathering information for doxxing, or in more extreme cases, to locate a child in person.
Turning off GPS on your kids’ devices won’t solve everything, but it does make things harder for stalkers who rely on malware, some of which uses GPS to track a person’s real-time location.
Location tagging is another risk. Many social platforms allow posts to be tagged with a location, which can let a stalker track someone’s whereabouts without needing any malware at all.
#4. Install Security Tools
Where turning off GPS doesn’t go far enough, other security tools can help. A virtual private network (VPN), for example, can help protect a device from third-party snoopers by encrypting the internet connection.
Other useful security tools include:
- Password managers
- App locks
- Phone monitoring apps
- The parental controls already built into most devices and browsers, such as Chrome
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#5. Search For Their Names Online
A quick search should reveal any social media or other online accounts your kids have under their real name. It can also show whether anyone else has shared photos or information about them without your knowledge.
Children are, unfortunately, more likely to become victims of cyberstalking than of being stalked in real life. But that doesn’t mean parents are powerless. There are many ways to help keep your children safe online — start with tools and tips like these, and stay vigilant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cyberstalking?
Cyberstalking is when someone uses the internet, social media, apps, or other digital tools to repeatedly track, harass, or gather information about another person, often with the aim of intimidating or controlling them.
At what age should I start talking to my child about online safety?
As soon as your child starts using an internet-connected device or app. Keep the conversation ongoing and age-appropriate, rather than a single one-off talk.
Are parental control apps and privacy settings enough on their own?
They’re a strong first layer of protection, but they work best alongside open conversation. Kids who understand why privacy settings matter are more likely to use them sensibly, even when a parent isn’t watching.
Should I turn off location sharing on all my child’s apps?
It’s worth reviewing location settings on every app your child uses, since many enable location tagging by default. Turning it off reduces the amount of identifying information available to a potential stalker.
What should I do if I think my child is being cyberstalked?
Keep records of any messages, accounts, or contact involved, avoid responding to the person directly, report the account to the platform, and speak with your child calmly to understand what’s been happening.
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Save This for Later
Online safety is one of those topics worth revisiting as your child grows and their online world changes. Bookmark this article or save it to your favourites so you can come back to it whenever you need a refresher.
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