Why don’t teens tell their parents what happens online, even when their parents say, “You can tell me anything”? Because telling your teen they can talk to you isn’t enough. They’re paying attention to what happens when someone actually does. As someone who was groomed and exploited online as a teen, I heard adults tell me over and over again that I could come to them if something happened online. But I also knew there were things I wasn’t supposed to be doing. I wasn’t supposed to talk to boys. I wasn’t supposed to talk to strangers. And I worried that telling the truth would lead to losing my phone, games, internet access, or relationships that mattered to me. So I stayed quiet. In this episode of Secret Lives of Teens Online, I’m talking about what actually makes teens feel safe enough to tell their parents when something goes wrong online. We talk about the reactions teens remember, why criticizing other kids can teach your own child not to come to you, protecting your teen’s privacy, punishment, judgment and shame, questioning their decisions, knowing when NOT to immediately dig for more information, and why your response to small mistakes can affect whether they bring you the big ones. I also talk about something I wish more parents understood: your teen doesn’t need you to react perfectly. They need opportunities to experience you making mistakes, apologizing, managing your emotions, listening without judgment, and showing them that mistakes are something they can come back from. Whether your teen experiences an uncomfortable message, online grooming, an online predator, sexual content, a troubling interaction on Roblox, Instagram or Snapchat, or simply makes a mistake online, your response teaches them whether coming to you made the situation safer or harder. If you want your teen to talk to you, don’t just tell them they can. Become someone they want to talk to. Want to share your story? If you want to share your experience growing up online (the good, bad, ugly, and beautiful), you can email me at: slotopodcast@gmail.com. You can share your story anonymously in writing or ask about participating in a video interview. Want to connect? Follow me on Instagram: @CyberFareedah and send me a message with your thoughts on the podcast! You can also connect with me on LinkedIn or wherever else you spend your time online! I’m CyberFareedah everywhere ♥ Want to work with me? If you’re interested in a workshop, speaking engagement, partnership, or other project, email me at support@sekuva.com or submit a booking request here: https://www.cyberfareedah.com/projects Need support protecting your teen online? Join my Protect Kids Online Membership and get your first 7 days free here: https://www.skool.com/protect-kids-online-membership-4029/about Major kudos to you for joining the moms staying ahead of the game!
