As the school supply lists come out and first-day outfits are picked, there’s one more important item every parent should add to their back-to-school checklist: a digital safety check.

The start of a new school year is the perfect time to revisit online safety habits, especially as kids log on for everything from homework to social time. Whether your child is entering third grade or high school, now is the time to pause and make sure their digital world is as safe as possible.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Review Digital Boundaries

Before the school year starts, make sure your kids are clear on your family’s online rules. Revisit expectations around which apps they can use, how they communicate online, and what to do if something feels wrong. If you haven’t had this conversation yet, now’s the perfect time to set those boundaries and start the dialogue.

2. Double-Check Privacy Settings

Whether your child is using a classroom app, social media, or messaging with friends, privacy settings are your first line of defense. Make sure profiles are set to private, location sharing is turned off, and personal information—like full name, school, and birthdate—is not visible to strangers.

3. Know the Signs of an Online Predator

Online predators don’t wear warning labels and they often pose as peers. Talk to your child about how to recognize red flags: older users initiating contact, conversations that quickly become personal, requests to move to private chats, or any behavior that feels uncomfortable or secretive.

4. Stay Involved in Digital Communication

Be clear with your child that you’ll be part of their digital world – not to invade their privacy, but to protect it. Let them know you’ll be checking in on the platforms they use and encourage them to come to you with anything that makes them feel uneasy or confused.

5. Teach Digital Footprint Awareness

Kids may not realize that what they post today can follow them for years. From college admissions to future employers, a child’s digital footprint matters. Help them think critically before sharing photos, videos, or comments.

6. Review Apps and Games

Download a new school planner app? Trying out a trendy game? Take time to vet new apps and games together. Look for features like unmoderated chats, in-app purchases, or content that might not be age-appropriate, even if it’s rated as such.

7. Keep the Conversation Going

The most powerful online safety tool you have is your relationship with your child. Start the conversation now and keep it going. Let them know they can always come to you, no matter what they encounter online.

As we wrap up our Summer of Safety, remember: These conversations and check-ins are more than seasonal, they’re essential.

Because safety doesn’t end with summer. It evolves as your child grows, learns, and logs on in new ways.

Ready to make this back-to-school season the safest yet? Start by protecting your child’s personal information with our 4 tips for safer first-day photos.

Together, we can keep kids safer all year long – at home, in school, and everywhere in between.