Parenting in the digital age: How technology can help keep children safe online

Parenting in the 21st century encompasses much more than raising a child in their physical environment, but now also includes how to raise them via technology while at the same time providing a supportive and secure online presence for them. As children start using devices and the internet before they reach school age, it is crucial that parents are actively involved in guiding their child through the technological world as well as providing a safe and protected environment for them.

Using parental control features

Parents today are provided with many software applications and devices that have built-in tools for monitoring and managing their child’s online usage. These tools include things like screen time limits, content filters, and app restrictions, which help parents to build a better environment for children while they are in a digital world. By using these tools, parents can maintain an appropriate level of supervision while still providing their children with independence to explore online in a safe manner without being overly exposed to risks.

Having open lines of communication

Although tools are important to provide a safe environment for children online, they cannot replace a parent’s ability to build trusting and open lines of communication with their child. To help children develop trust in you as a parent and to help them feel like they can talk to you about what is happening online, you need to engage in regular conversations about your child’s behaviour online, their friendships online, and the risks associated with being online. By encouraging your child to talk openly about what is happening in their life rather than monitoring them will help them to feel supported rather than watched or monitored.

Training children to be responsible digital citizens

Technology can also be used to help children learn how to be responsible digital citizens. There are many websites, blogs, and apps that are dedicated to teaching children about being safe online, protecting their privacy, and using proper behaviour when online. When parents introduce these resources early in their child’s life, it helps children to develop critical thinking skills which will assist them in making good decisions when they are accessing the internet.

Setting boundaries and healthy habits

We need to set rules for using devices. This means deciding how time kids can spend on screens and where they can use their devices. We should also teach them how to behave. When we are consistent with these rules kids learn to be more disciplined. They do not depend on screens so much. Setting boundaries around device usage is very important for kids.

Staying informed in a changing world

The online world is changing very fast. New apps and trends are coming out all the time. There are new threats too. Parents need to stay informed so they can help their kids. They do not need to be experts, they just need to know what is going on and be able to adapt to new things. Staying informed helps parents guide their kids effectively in the world.


Technology can be good or bad for parents.. When we use it in the right way it can be very helpful. If we use technology with communication, education and clear rules we can keep our kids safe and responsible online. Technology is a tool for parents when used wisely. By combining technology with things parents can help their kids stay safe, confident and responsible, in the online world. Kids can use technology in a way when parents set clear boundaries and healthy habits around device usage.

Dr. Kanishk Agrawal, Chief Technology Officer at Judge Group, India