I’m a full-time influencer. My followers pick up my habits, mimic my language, and follow my lead on what to wear, what to eat, and even when to go to bed. Oh, wait—did I say influencer? I meant Mom. But really, it’s the same thing.
We’re the original (and gold standard) influencers for our kids, even with screens. And that’s why it’s natural to feel uneasy about what they see and do online. Sure, it can feel like we’re competing with YouTubers and TikTokers—but in the ways that count, we aren’t. A survey from The Kids Mental Health Foundation found that moms’ top worries about screen use are privacy and safety, exposure to misinformation, and lack of in-person socialization. But teaching digital literacy for kids in these 7 simple ways helps ease those fears.
Why is digital literacy important?
Digital literacy turns our fears about kids and tech into healthy action, teaching kids to use, understand, and create with technology responsibly. When kids learn to navigate technology safely and think critically online, they’re building the foundation they’ll need for school, future careers, and staying protected.
1. Practice smart searching.
Digital literacy for kids includes knowing where and how to find trustworthy information. Kids need to learn how to search wisely, choose reliable sources, and steer clear of clickbait, scams, and shady links (including in texts).
What you can do: The next time your child looks something up, whether for school or fun, do it together. Talk through how she picks links. Show her how to check for sources that end in .edu, .org, or .gov (considered trustworthy), check dates, and avoid sites riddled with grammar mistakes or sensational headlines. When in doubt, help your child cross-check on another reliable site.
2. Teach him to think critically about what he sees.
In an increasingly AI-generated online world, digital literacy for kids includes teaching them to pause and think before they believe—or share—what they see online. A Stanford study found that 82% of middle-schoolers couldn’t tell real news from sponsored content (even when it was labeled). And that study came out before AI images and deepfakes blurred the lines even more.
What you can do: Teach your child to ask: “Is this true? Who made this? Why did they make it? Can I trust this source?” And when something seems off, help them fact-check using a reputable site (not an online influencer or friend).
3. Protect personal information.
Kids who grow up in safe, trusting environments may not realize that the online world isn’t always as friendly. That’s why they need to learn not to share personal details like their name, school, city, or location without a parent’s permission. A simple rule to teach: If you wouldn’t share it with a stranger on the playground, you shouldn’t share it online.
What you can do: Go through your child’s favorite apps together and check privacy settings, making sure he knows what’s being shared and with whom. Do this again as new apps get downloaded.
4. Build strong character traits online.
Every click, comment, save, share, like, and post leaves a trail of what your child does and says. Together, these create a viewpoint of your child’s online character, and (hopefully) this aligns with your child’s IRL character traits that you’re building. Teaching kids to pause before they post can go a long way toward building kind, respectful digital communities (and citizens!).
What you can do: Focus on empathy first. Ask questions like: “How would the other person feel about this comment? Am I building someone up or bringing them down? Would this comment make someone’s day better or worse?” Help your child understand that real people with real feelings are behind every profile (usually).
5. Help her understand her digital footprint.
Kids might think hitting “delete” makes something disappear. But, in reality, what they post or send can stick around in ways they don’t expect. The same goes for apps that claim to delete messages. Screenshots can easily be taken and shared.
What you can do: Ask your child to picture standing in front of her class or team (or grandmother!). Would she want to show or say in that setting what she’s about to post online? This makes digital choices feel more real. You can even Google your child’s name (or your own) to see what pops up. It’s a simple way to show how footprints can stick around.
6. Establish family tech habits (not just rules).
It’s standard to focus on how much time kids spend on screens, but just as important is how they spend it. Instead of only setting time limits, help your child develop healthy tech habits. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests co-creating a family media plan to encourage lifelong balance. And because digital literacy also means knowing when to unplug, strong tech habits help kids balance online and offline life.
What you can do: Hold a family meeting to set tech habits, like having no phones at the dinner table, one screen-free afternoon a week, or using apps to learn something as a family.
7. Normalize making mistakes online.
Even with all the digital literacy training in the world, kids will click on or scroll across something they shouldn’t. It happens to all of us. And no amount of protection can fully shield our kids. So make sure your child knows she can always come to you.
What you can do: Remind your child often (not just once!) that you’re a safe place to come when something goes wrong online. Say, “If something weird pops up, or if you click on something that doesn’t feel right, you won’t be in trouble. But I do want you to tell me.” This kind of ongoing conversation encourages honesty.
Why is digital literacy important to you? And what would you add to this list of ideas for digital literacy for kids?
