Safety rules are second nature to children; belt up in the car, look left and right crossing the road and do not talk to strangers. So why in an age where our children are so aware of the dangers of speaking to strangers in the real world, are so many comfortable with interacting and engaging with strangers online?
The issue stems from the fact that children suffer from a cognitive disconnection between the real world and the virtual world. They often do not transfer real world rules such as ‘Stranger Danger’ and protecting their personal information into the virtual world. Children do not comprehend the importance of these rules as they often cannot see the real life danger attached to their digital activity. This naivety can leave children exposed to the threat of unwanted interaction with strangers online. Children are growing up with technology as an integral part of their lives, with technology becoming more and more a fundamental part of your child’s life as they grow and develop.
So what can you do as a parent to help to protect your child, from stranger danger online? Through our work with children, parents and teachers at Zeeko we have found the following advice to be helpful and practical.
Explain the dangers of speaking to strangers online to your child and emphasise that real world rules still apply online. Help them to understand why interacting with strangers online can be dangerous, what the real world consequences can be and why they should stick with people they know in real life
- Screen your child’s followers and friends on the social media and gaming sites that they use on a regular basis. Ensure they are real world friends. Work with your child to delete and block any followers and friends that they do not know
- For younger children you can set up ‘play dates’ for online games between your child and their real friends. Organise a time slot where you allow your child join an online gaming session. Outside of these organised times, do not allow your child to use a headset while gaming and turn off the chat function of their games
- Teach your child to keep all personal information private. This means that their profile photo should not make them easily identifiable (for example, wearing their jersey from the local football club or their school uniform), that they do not mention their address or school in their descriptions and that they do not tag themselves in locations
You can find out more about the Zeeko Internet Safety Guide for Parents and the crowdfunding campaign we are launching on January 4th 2016 via www.zeeko.ie
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Online Stranger Danger?
Online Stranger Danger refers to the risks children face when interacting with people they do not know on the internet. This can happen through social media, gaming platforms, messaging apps, or live streaming services.
Why do children talk to strangers online when they know not to in real life?
Children often experience a cognitive disconnection between the real world and the online world. While they understand “stranger danger” offline, they may not automatically apply the same safety rules to their digital interactions.
Why don’t children see the risks of online strangers?
Online interactions can feel less threatening because there is no physical presence. Children may not fully understand the real-life consequences of sharing personal information or engaging with someone they do not know.
Where are children most at risk of Online Stranger Danger?
Risks can arise on:
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Social media platforms
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Online gaming sites
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Messaging apps
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Live chat or streaming platforms
Any platform that allows communication with others carries potential risks.
What are the dangers of interacting with strangers online?
Potential dangers include:
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Being manipulated or groomed
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Sharing personal information
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Exposure to inappropriate content
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Cyberbullying or harassment
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Requests to move conversations to private platforms
How can parents explain Online Stranger Danger to children?
Parents should clearly explain that real-world safety rules apply online too. Help children understand why speaking to strangers can be dangerous and discuss possible real-life consequences in an age-appropriate way.
Should parents check their child’s online friends and followers?
Yes. Regularly reviewing your child’s followers and gaming contacts helps ensure they are people your child knows in real life. Work together to block or delete unknown contacts.
How can parents make online gaming safer?
For younger children:
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Organise supervised “online play dates” with real-life friends
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Turn off chat functions where possible
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Avoid allowing headset use outside of supervised sessions
These steps help reduce exposure to unknown players.
What personal information should children keep private?
Children should never share:
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Their home address
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School name
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Phone number
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Location details
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Identifiable photos (e.g., school uniform, sports jersey)
Profile photos and descriptions should not reveal personal details.
Is it enough to tell children not to talk to strangers online?
No. Ongoing conversations are essential. Children need to understand why the rule exists and feel comfortable coming to a parent if something feels wrong.
What should a child do if a stranger contacts them online?
They should:
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Stop responding immediately
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Block the user
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Tell a parent or trusted adult
Encourage children to report any interaction that makes them uncomfortable.
How can parents build safer online habits long-term?
By having regular, calm conversations, staying involved in their child’s digital life, and reinforcing that Online Stranger Danger is just as real as real-world stranger danger.
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.
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