Keeping Kids Safe Online this Summer!

 

School is officially out for summer in just a few days! Here’s hoping that long sunny days lie ahead. No matter what you can be sure that technology will play a part in everyone’s summer. So, here are some tips for what you can do to ensure that your child stays safe over the summer holidays, while they are spending some time online.

Keeping Kids Safe Online: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

As the digital world continues to play a central role in children’s lives—whether during the summer holidays or throughout the school year—parents naturally want to ensure their kids stay safe online. From managing screentime to navigating social media and dealing with uncomfortable online encounters, children need guidance, reassurance, and consistent open communication.

Drawing from years of experience working with primary and secondary schools across Ireland, this comprehensive guide combines Zeeko’s most essential advice to help parents support their children in developing healthy, safe online habits.

1. Why Open Communication Matters More Than Ever

At Zeeko, we regularly emphasise that communication is the number one tool parents have in promoting online safety. Children are more likely to stay safe when they feel comfortable speaking openly about their online experiences—positive or negative.

Create a Safe Space for Conversations

  • Encourage your child to tell you what they enjoy doing online.

  • Avoid reacting with anger or punishment, as this may discourage honesty.

  • Reassure them that they will not be blamed for encountering something inappropriate or upsetting.

This type of active mediation helps children feel secure in approaching you, especially if they witness cyberbullying or experience something upsetting themselves.

2. Agreeing on Expectations—Especially During Breaks and Holidays

When school ends—especially during summer holidays—children often assume they can spend significantly more time online. Parents may have different expectations, so it’s vital to clarify these early.

Set Clear, Shared Agreements

  • Talk openly about how much time will be spent on screens.

  • Decide how devices will be used at home, on trips, and during downtime.

  • Explain why balance matters and involve your child in creating the plan.

Negotiation and clarity help prevent conflict later and establish healthy digital habits.

3. Finding Balance: Managing Screentime

Zeeko promotes the 5:1 Rule to help families strike a healthy balance. For every hour children spend on screens, they should enjoy five hours of offline, “real world” activities, ideally involving movement or creativity.

Why Balance Matters

  • Screen overuse can reduce concentration.

  • Blue light before bed disrupts sleep.

  • Offline activities protect mental wellbeing and build social skills.

Encourage your child to turn off screens at least one hour before bedtime to support healthier sleep patterns.

Children learn best through observation, so modelling balanced device use yourself is especially important.

4. Empowering Kids With the Stop, Block, Tell Rule

Whether during school or holidays, children may encounter upsetting content or unkind behaviour online. That’s why Zeeko teaches the simple but powerful Stop, Block, Tell method.

How It Works

  • STOP: If something feels wrong or uncomfortable, stop what you are doing immediately.

  • BLOCK: Block the person, page, or content causing the problem.

  • TELL: Tell a trusted adult—parent, guardian, teacher, or designated Chatbudi—what happened.

Open conversations reinforce that it’s always okay for children to share their online experiences without fear of punishment.

5. Online Etiquette: Teaching Respect and Caution

The excitement of messaging, gaming, and sharing photos or videos can cause children to forget to be cautious.

Remind Them to Treat People Online as They Would Offline

Kindness and respect should be consistent in both worlds. Discuss what respectful behaviour looks like on social media and in online games.

Use the T-Shirt Rule

Before posting anything, children should ask themselves:
“Would I be comfortable wearing this on the front of a T-shirt?”
If not, they shouldn’t post it.

This simple rule helps them understand the permanence of digital content.

6. Helping Kids Understand “Fake Perfect” Online

The rise of social media means many children—and particularly teens—believe what they see online is real. Zeeko encourages young people to recognise “fake perfect”: the carefully curated images and moments that do not reflect full reality.

Encourage Real-World Experiences

  • Discuss how photos are edited or staged.

  • Remind them that offline experiences support mental and physical wellbeing.

  • Encourage regular breaks from social media.

Helping children separate online appearances from reality builds resilience and confidence.

7. Only Connect With Friends You Know in Real Life

One of the most important safety messages for children and teens is simple:
Friends online should be friends in the real world first.

Teach Kids to Double-Check Friend Requests

  • If someone sends a friend request, they should confirm in person before accepting.

  • If they don’t know the person, they should block or ignore the request immediately.

This habit dramatically reduces risk and encourages safer social media use.

8. Ensuring Privacy and Safety Settings Are Switched On

Digital privacy settings are one of the strongest tools for online safety.

What Parents Should Check

  • Social media profiles set to private

  • Devices equipped with child-friendly filters and safety settings

  • Regular reviews of game chat settings, messaging limits, and app permissions

Privacy settings help protect children from unwanted contact and inappropriate content.

9. Encourage a Trusted Adult: The Zeeko Chatbudi

Zeeko recommends that every child choose a Chatbudi—a trusted adult over 18 who they can share their online experiences with.

This could be a:

  • Parent

  • Guardian

  • Aunt, uncle, or older cousin

  • Coach or mentor

Having at least one trusted adult encourages openness, emotional support, and practical guidance.

10. Promote Offline Activities and Healthy Daily Routines

Regardless of their age, children benefit enormously from regularly stepping away from screens to enjoy offline activities.

Simple Ideas to Encourage Balance

  • Outdoor play

  • Sports and exercise

  • Reading

  • Family activities

  • Arts, crafts, and creative hobbies

Children thrive when they have a mix of digital and real-world experiences.

Final Thoughts: Building Online Safety Through Confidence and Connection

Keeping kids safe online requires a combination of open communication, clear expectations, practical rules, and active involvement. Whether during the school year or summer holidays, parents play a vital role in shaping how their children navigate the digital world.

By:

  • Encouraging conversation

  • Teaching practical online safety strategies

  • Modelling healthy digital habits

  • Reinforcing balance between online and offline life

…children develop the confidence and skills they need to stay safe, informed, and happy both on and offline.

As we know from our work with primary and secondary schools throughout the year, the internet is a fantastic resource, but children do need support and guidance to learn how to safely navigate the online world, regardless of the time of year! Our team at Zeeko wish you all a fun filled and safe summer both on and offline!

Explore Zeeko’s Home Page to discover our mission on the About Us Page, innovative Phone Blocking System, and engaging Phoenix Quest 10 programme. We provide Internet Safety Seminars, the Zeeko Report Card, and the Magical Leaders Choose Country initiative, alongside insights from our Digital Trend Report. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.