As a parent, you have every right to be concerned about your teen’s online activity. Not everyone on the Internet has good intentions, and teenagers are usually the ones who fall for the traps of such individuals.
Currently, there are 750,000 registered sex offenders in the U.S. Some of them are looking for victims online, as it’s the easiest method to lure unsuspecting people.
With sex offenders being the worst-case scenario, some other troubles, such as harassment, cyberstalking, and cyberbullying also regularly take place online.
Teenagers, according to a Gallup survey, spend an average of 4.8 hours on social media a day. With such high online activity, it’s difficult not to get caught up in unpleasant interactions, especially if your teen engages in discussions on forums or social media.
If your teen talks to someone online and you want to know who it is, what are the most effective methods to find out? Let’s discuss it in this article.
How to Learn Who Your Teen Is Chatting With Online
- Go Through the Messages on Their Phone
If your teen has shared their number online, it’s likely that someone might be messaging them on this number. Pay attention not only to SMS messages but also texts on messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Snapchat.
Look for any suspicious signs such as threats, calls for action (e.g., “Let’s meet at [a certain place] at [a certain time], flirting, obscene or sexualized language. Messages from unknown numbers are especially worth paying attention to.
To avoid missing something important, make sure you check every messaging app your teen has on their phone. Remember, every suspicious message must be treated with caution. If you spot anything like this, ask your child about who is it they’re communicating with. If they refuse to talk about this, the most effective way is to reverse search the number to find out its owner or call this number to ask why they’re texting your kid.
- Check Their Social Media Accounts
Social media is usually where all the cyberbullying and other threats take place, especially among teenagers. So, if you know that your child is active on social media, check their accounts on Instagram, Facebook, X, or any other platform.
First, pay attention to the comments people leave under their posts. If it’s something offensive or threatening, talk to your child about who this person is. You could also reach out to them directly and ask why they leave such comments under your child’s posts.
Second, check who likes their pictures. It’s ok to get likes from teenagers, but the second you spot activity from people with suspicious accounts, it’s time to raise the alarm.
Third, you can also check your teen’s DMs on social media platforms. For this, you need their phone. But if you’re determined to see who they’re talking to, this method is worth using. Go through their private messages and pay attention to the context of the messages.
- Use Parental Control Tools
Parental control tools are software or apps that help parents monitor their children’s online activities. They’re designed to give parents control over the content their kids can access online and track their interactions.
The most popular apps include Bark, Qustodio, and Norton Family. They can track calls, text, and social media activity, which is great for parents who want to find out who their kids are interacting with online.
Such apps can also be used to set time limits or alert to any suspicious activity.
- Pay Attention to In-Game Communication
If your teen plays games with chat features, such as Roblox, Fortnite, or Minecraft, then they’re also communicating with other players. These players aren’t only teens who are the same age as your child. They may also be people much older, not always with good intentions.
Check who your teen usually plays with and pay attention to their interaction. Is it friendly and doesn’t bother you? That means your teen is talking to their online friends. If, however, the conversation seems even slightly off, it’s time to intervene.
- Talk to Them Directly
If your teen is open to discussing who they’re talking to online, why not talk to them directly? In this case, you can find out more about the people they’re texting with if you ask the right questions.
Don’t be too pushy and calmly start the conversation. Ask your teen about the people they’re chatting with online, their names, what they’re up to, and whether they use any threatening or obscene language.
Remember that your teen may not have any suspicion in mind; they may think that that person is kind and trustworthy. But you, as a parent, should pay attention to even the slightest suspicious signs. Pedophiles and sex offenders choose their words carefully in some cases, especially if they know that a child has someone who can protect them.
Summing Up
Knowing who your teen is chatting with online can give you peace of mind. The online world isn’t safe for immature minds, and that’s why it’s important to check your kid’s online activity.
Going through messages on their phone, checking their social media accounts, taking advantage of parental control tools, looking at their in-game communication, and talking directly are some of the most effective ways to find out who your teen is interacting with online.
Also read:
How to Restrict Phones in Schools
How to Prevent Digital Self-Harm
Image attribution: Pexels, Cottonbro Studios