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Online Safety for Families

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Keeping kids safe online is a partnership between school and home. Here are free tools, practical tips, and where to turn if something goes wrong.

Free for every Babylon family

Qustodio Parent App:

Through our district web filter, every Babylon family receives a free version of the Qustodio parent app. It works similar to the protections on your child's district device, for personal devices, so you can add your own family rules at home.

What you can do:

  • Build your own filtering rules for personal devices
  • Block or limit specific websites at home
  • Set daily time limits and routines, like device-free bedtimes
  • See your child's online activity outside school hours
  • Monitor YouTube activity

How to get started:

  1. Watch for the sign-up instructions from the district.
  2. Create your account using the email address the school has on file for you.
  3. Connect to your child, then set the home rules and routines that work for your family.
Learn About Qustodio (opens in a new tab) Sign up with the email address the school has on file for you.

District Devices vs. Personal Devices:

District protections follow district devices. Phones, tablets, game consoles, and home computers are protected only by the settings your family puts in place.

On a district device:

  • Web filtering is active at school and at home.
  • Only IT-approved software and apps can be installed.
  • District accounts and devices may be monitored to keep students safe.
  • Filters are strong, but no filter is perfect. Your involvement still matters.

About the 1:1 Device Program

On a personal device:

  • The district filter does not apply.
  • Use the built-in parental controls on phones, tablets, and consoles.
  • Turn on content and age ratings in app stores and streaming services.
  • Check privacy settings on every app your child uses.

Talk With Your Child:

Ongoing, open conversations are the most effective safety tool. Children who feel they can come to you without getting in trouble are far more likely to speak up when something goes wrong. Try these conversation starters:

Grades K–2:

  • “What's your favorite thing to do on the computer?”
  • “What would you do if something on the screen made you feel scared or confused?”
  • “Who are the grown-ups you can tell?”

Grades 3–5:

  • “Can you show me a game or website you like?”
  • “Has anyone online ever asked you for personal information?”
  • “What makes someone a good friend online?”

Grades 6–8:

  • “Which apps are your friends using right now?”
  • “Have you ever seen someone treated badly online? What happened?”
  • “Do you know how to block or report someone?”

Grades 9–12:

  • “How do you decide what's okay to post?”
  • “Has anyone ever pressured you to send something you didn't want to?”
  • “How do you spot a scam or fake account?”

Social Media, Gaming & Messaging:

Most apps set a minimum age of 13. Whatever apps your family allows, a few habits make a big difference.

Social media:

  • Check age requirements before allowing an account
  • Set accounts to private
  • Talk about what's okay to post, and that posts can be permanent
  • Know who your child follows and who follows them

Gaming:

  • Check game ratings and in-game chat settings
  • Limit chat to friends your child knows in real life
  • Turn on purchase approvals
  • Keep consoles in shared spaces when possible

Messaging & group chats:

  • Remind your child that screenshots can be shared
  • Encourage them to leave chats that turn hurtful
  • Never share passwords, location, or personal details
  • Treat requests for photos as a red flag

Wondering about a specific app or game? Look it up in Qoria’s Online Safety Hub for parent guides, age ratings, and safety settings.

Know the Warning Signs:

Learn to recognize common online risks, and watch for changes in your child's behavior.

Cyberbullying:

Repeated mean messages, embarrassing posts, or being left out on purpose in group chats or games.

Scams & phishing:

Messages promising free game currency, prizes, or money, or asking for passwords or account codes.

Unsafe contact:

Someone your child doesn't know in person who builds trust quickly, asks them to keep secrets, or wants to move the conversation to a private app.

Oversharing:

Posting a school name, address, schedule, or location that lets strangers piece together where a child is.

Signs your child may be struggling online:

  • Seems upset, anxious, or withdrawn after using a device
  • Suddenly hides the screen or deletes messages
  • Avoids school, friends, or activities they used to enjoy
  • Has new online “friends” they won't talk about
  • Changes in sleep, appetite, or mood
  • Receives gifts, money, or game credits from someone you don't know

If Something Happens:

If your child is being bullied, harassed, or threatened online, or something just doesn't feel right, take these steps.

  1. Stay calm & listen:

    Thank your child for telling you. Avoid taking the device away as a punishment.

  2. Save evidence:

    Take screenshots of messages, usernames, and dates before anything is deleted.

  3. Don't respond:

    Block the account and report it to the app or game platform.

  4. Tell the school:

    Report it through Babylon Talks so administrators can follow up.

Report bullying or harassment:

Use Babylon Talks to report bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, or discrimination. Reports go directly to school and district administrators, who will follow up with you.

Go to Babylon Talks

Urgent or serious situations:

Resources for Families

For Babylon UFSD

Qoria Online Safety Hub:

An online safety library for families. Look up guides to popular apps, games, and platforms, read about current online trends, and find tips for every age.

Visit the Online Safety Hub (opens in a new tab)

More trusted resources:

These free, independent organizations offer reliable guidance for keeping kids safe online.

Questions about online safety or the parent app?

Our team is happy to help.

Call 631-893-7983

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