Your Guide to Online Safety for Kids During Summer: How to Keep Screen Time Safe

Summer is here—and for many working parents, that means more screen time for kids at home. Whether it’s gaming, streaming, scrolling, or chatting with friends, devices often become the go-to pastime during the break. But with that increase in screen time comes the risk of exposure to harmful content, online predators, cyberbullying, and unhealthy digital habits.

To help parents navigate these concerns, Dallas Weekly sat down with award-winning cybersecurity expert and internet safety advocate Cyber Fareedah (Fareedah Shaheed) for a powerful Parenting in Bliss conversation. Drawing from both her professional background and personal experience growing up online, Fareedah shared real talk and relatable advice for protecting kids this summer—without tech overwhelm or guilt.

Start with Your Gut—and Then Start a Conversation

“The first thing I always tell parents is to trust your gut,” Fareedah said. “You usually know when your child is spending too much time online or when something feels off.”

Instead of obsessing over how much time kids are online, Fareedah recommends focusing on what they’re watching—and building a routine of open dialogue.

“Make content sharing a normal part of your family dynamic,” she added. “Ask your kids, ‘What’s a video you loved today?’ or ‘What did you learn from what you just watched?’ It’s less about policing and more about participating.”

Platforms Aren’t the Problem—But Communication Is Key

When asked if there are certain apps or websites parents should avoid entirely, Fareedah gave a perspective-shifting answer.

“Any platform that allows messaging is a potential risk,” she explained. “But it’s not really about the platform—it’s about the behavior and your relationship with your child.”

While apps like Snapchat, Discord, Roblox, and Instagram are often mentioned in the news, Fareedah emphasized that harmful behavior can happen anywhere. “If your child is determined to do something, they’ll find a way. That’s why it’s more effective to build trust and awareness rather than banning every app.”

You Don’t Need to Be Tech-Savvy to Protect Your Kids

Good news for parents who don’t consider themselves tech experts: You don’t need to be.

“You don’t need to know more than your kids,” Fareedah said. “You just need to know your kids.”

Still, if you do want more control over devices, she recommends calling your service provider or even reaching out to Geek Squad to help set up parental controls and monitoring systems.

“Companies like T-Mobile or your internet provider can walk you through restrictions,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

Build a Safe Emotional Space

Fareedah’s most powerful message? The real protection starts offline.

“Every moment you spend talking with your child, reading with them, caring for yourself, and modeling love and balance—those are things that protect them online,” she said. “If kids feel safe and seen at home, they’re less likely to seek validation in risky digital spaces.”

She encourages parents to replace shame or strictness with curiosity and connection. “Even if all you can give is five minutes a week to really connect—that matters. That’s how you build trust, and that trust is what keeps them safe.”

Final Word for Parents This Summer

“You already have everything you need,” Fareedah affirmed. “Just focus on your relationship with your child. That’s your most powerful cybersecurity tool.”

So this summer, skip the pressure to master every app or keep up with every trend. Instead, focus on open conversations, check in often, and build digital awareness as a family.

Because protecting kids online doesn’t start with firewalls or filters—it starts with love, presence, and honest connection.

About Cyber Fareedah

Fareedah Shaheed—known online as Cyber Fareedah—is an award-winning Internet Safety Expert and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. She is the founder of Sekuva and the Protect Kids Online (PKO) Membership, both dedicated to helping parents keep their children safe in the digital world.

With a background in cybersecurity awareness and threat intelligence, Fareedah developed the SAFE Method, a unique approach to online safety that prioritizes emotional connection and safe spaces as the core of digital protection. Her work is shaped by her own experiences growing up online, including navigating predator behavior and digital risks firsthand as a young gamer.

Cyber Fareedah’s insights have been featured by major outlets including NBC, CNN, BBC, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, NASDAQ, FOX, AfroTech, Ebony, Yahoo!, and more. She was named to the Worthy 100 by Worth Magazine and recognized as a changemaker “rewriting industry standards.”

She has partnered with organizations like Meta, NASA, Mozilla, LinkedIn, FedEx, H&M, Common Sense Networks, and Love146 to empower parents through education on internet safety. Fareedah currently serves on the Forbes Under 30 board and has been named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Cybersecurity.

Find more insights and resources at cyberfareedah.com or follow @CyberFareedah on all platforms.

For more Parenting in Bliss features, stay tuned right here on Dallas Weekly.