what are the biggest online risks for my teenager?

Parents report significant concern over cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital addiction. Understanding the key risks, from privacy breaches to predatory behaviour, helps you protect your teen while respecting their growing independence.

What is going on?

The digital world presents real risks that parents need to understand. Cyberbullying affects a significant proportion of teenagers, with harassment often happening through social media, messaging apps, and gaming platforms. Privacy concerns are equally serious, many teens share personal information without understanding the long-term consequences. Online predators use sophisticated techniques to build relationships with young people. Digital addiction is increasingly recognised as a genuine concern, with some teens struggling to regulate their screen use. The good news is that informed parents who maintain open communication can significantly reduce these risks while still allowing teens to benefit from technology.

What is normal:

What is not normal (seek support):

• Secretive behaviour around devices and online activity
• Connecting with unknown adults online
• Sharing personal information, photos, or location publicly
• Significant mood changes after being online
• Unable to stop device use even when asked
• Receiving gifts or money from online contacts

Your teen’s perspective:

I know my parents worry about what I do online, but sometimes it feels like they do not trust me at all. What helps is when they actually try to understand why I like certain apps instead of just assuming everything is dangerous. I am more likely to tell them if something bad happens if I know they will not take my phone away forever or make me feel stupid.

How to start the conversation:

• “I want to understand more about how you use the internet, not to spy, but because I care about your safety.”
• “Have you ever experienced anything online that made you uncomfortable?”
• “If something weird happened online, I hope you would tell me, I promise to listen without overreacting.”
• “The internet can be brilliant, but there are also people who might try to take advantage. Let us talk about how to spot them.”
• “I am learning about online safety too. Can we figure this out together?”

Do:

• Learn about the platforms and apps your teen uses
• Set up privacy settings together
• Create a family media agreement with clear expectations
• Keep devices in shared spaces, especially for younger teens
• Model healthy digital habits yourself

Avoid:

• Secretly monitoring without their knowledge (this breaks trust)
• Banning technology entirely (they will find ways around it)
• Overreacting when they share concerning information
• Assuming they know more about safety than they do

Watch for:

Notice changes in mood after device use, reluctance to show screens, and whether they are connecting with people they know in real life versus strangers online.

When to seek help:

Seek immediate help if your teen is being contacted by adults seeking inappropriate relationships, if they are experiencing severe cyberbullying affecting their mental health, if they have shared explicit images that are being circulated, or if they show signs of digital addiction that they cannot control. Contact relevant organisations for support and consider reporting to appropriate authorities.

In the app:

Ladybird helps teens develop healthy digital habits through its screen-free mindful moments and mood tracking. The app provides a safe, moderated space where teens can explore wellbeing without the risks associated with mainstream social media.

Related articles

• are there safe-use rules or “contracts” families can make for device use?
• how can I talk with my teen about social media’s impact on their mental health?
• how can I be emotionally available and supportive without enabling my teen?