Ask an expert: Keeping teens safe online
In this episode of Likes and Limits, in partnership with Instagram, host (and mum) Pia Miranda explores how caregivers can keep teens safe online. She speaks with actor and comedian Peter Rowsthorn and his daughter Billie about how they foster a safe and private space for Billie online.
Watch the episode below, or jump to the ‘I want to know more about…’ section for more resources and tips.
I want to know more about…
How teens use social media
Social media is a core element of teen friendships today. Many teens spend time online chatting with their friends and keeping up to date with each other’s lives. Those who aren’t online may experience anxiety around missing out on key moments. Teens use different platforms for different reasons. Learn more about the most popular social media platforms for teens and how teens are using them.
ReachOut research shows that teens are increasingly turning to social media to find mental health information, often using these platforms as frequently as they would search on Google.
Many teens also find connection and comfort in digital spaces. This is especially true for teens from marginalised backgrounds, who may struggle to see themselves represented in the physical world around them. Hear how teen content creator George Ray uses social media to celebrate his sexuality and connect with his community.
How teens make friends online
Many parents and carers worry that too much time spent online will impact their teen’s ability to forge strong social skills. While this is a fair concern, the reality is that this is the new normal when it comes to making new friends. Rather than trying to prevent it entirely, aim to create a balanced social environment for your teen. Team sports, local theatre productions or other community programs are a great way to immerse your teen in physical social spaces.
Online connections do still offer valuable opportunities for teens to learn communication skills, build confidence and meet people they might not encounter otherwise. That said, it’s important to stay informed about who your teen is interacting with online and to ensure they understand how to set boundaries and protect their privacy.
Learn more about how and why teens make friends online.
How to balance my teen’s freedom with their digital safety
Teens are all about independence, and giving them the space to make their own decisions is a big part of building trust between you. However, protecting their safety means staying involved with what’s happening in their digital world, even if the conversation can be awkward.
Hear how Peter found a way to keep up to date with his teens – without it feeling like an interrogation.
It can be tempting to avoid discussing digital safety, especially if you want to keep the peace. But this approach may leave your teen vulnerable and unsure of how to protect themselves. On the flip side, too much monitoring may make your teen more inclined to hide things from you and prevent them from learning key skills they’ll need in adulthood.
The key is to build trust through open, honest communication and by setting clear boundaries. Discuss how your teen will use social media, and how you’ll monitor their time online. Your teen doesn’t have to like every rule you set in place, and it’s important to let their voice be heard in the discussion.
Check out more tips on building trust with your teen and setting healthy boundaries.
Privacy and safety tools
You can also use platform safety tools and parental controls to keep your teen safe, while still letting them have fun experiences online.
Parental controls
Most social platforms have parental controls available. Each platform's parental controls are slightly different, so be sure to check what features are available via the platform’s website. Visit:
Find detailed information on parental controls for different platforms and devices via the eSafety Commissioner.
Safety and privacy features
Private accounts: Many platforms allow users to have private accounts where they can approve who sees their content. Instagram’s new Teen Accounts, for users 13–16, are automatically set to private.
Block: Most social media platforms have a Block tool, where you can block another user from seeing your content or messaging you.
Report: This is another standard feature on most platforms. You can report any content or messages you feel go against the platform’s community guidelines.
Two Factor Authentication: This feature requires a password and another way of proving your identity (e.g. a one time code sent to your email). This helps to prevent people from accessing your account.
You can find how to enable the above features on each platform’s website. Visit:
For more tips and info on platform privacy and safety tools, read our guide to looking after your privacy and safety online.
Did you find what you needed?
Yes – Hear from psychologist Jocelyn Brewer on ways you can manage your teen’s screen time.
I need to know more – Read our factsheet on teens and technology.