3 Reasons Summer Internet Risk Goes Up, Up, Up!

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Many families are excited for an active, travel-filled, relative-visiting summer. We love all of these things! But each of these activities creates unique digital risks that awesome parents should monitor.

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Summer brings 3 NEW factors that can raise digital risk:

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1. NEW PLACES Create Greater Summer Internet Risks

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In Michigan, between Memorial and Labor Day, many families enjoy time at the lake or some other warm-weather retreat. And, although sleepovers can happen throughout the year, they tend to occur more frequently during summer vacation with friends and relatives (like grandparents).

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This year, when you head to the cottage, or kids spend more time at a certain friend’s house, or wherever you go, be sure to take an inventory of how your family can access the internet. Then guard those doorways, in the same way you filter and monitor at home.

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We suggest the following three layers of protection to mitigate summer internet risk:

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• Guard the location – where kids use technology often dictates how they use technology. Sleepovers, bedrooms, bathrooms, basements, and grandma’s house all increase digital risk. (see – Most Dangerous Places for Kids to be Online)
• Guard the device – when the iPhone or Android isn’t using your WiFi, is it adequately controlled while using data? iPhones come with Screen Time parental controls and Android devices come with Family Link. Both of these solutions are free! The Gryphon router mentioned above also has controls that can be used over a data plan when not connected to home‍
• Guard the wireless router – remember, you are responsible for every click on your home’s router! When was the last time you thought about your router? Try Gryphon – it’s great.

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Speaking of new places, don’t forget about summer camps, which seem to be experiencing a resurgence in popularity as parents seek out more screen-free experiences. We’ve created a post with specific considerations before they leave!

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Read more: Prepare Their Digital Devices for Summer Camp

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2. NEW PATTERNS Create Greater Summer Internet Risks

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During the school year, weekday bedtimes are regular and predictable. But, summer bedtimes are typically looser – kids stay up, enjoying sunshine later into the evening, bonfires with friends, and “just one more swim” or “one more time” around the block on a bike.

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At Protect Young Eyes, we focus heavily on controlling internet access at night. In our experience, internet temptations are magnified at night. In quiet, dark moments, kids are more apt to click, share, or do things they might not do during the day. Darkness rules the web at night because whether you’re 14 or 40, you can rationalize anything online at midnight.

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In other words, we avoid the Toxic Trio at all costs, where BEDROOMS + BOREDOM + DARKNESS, along with internet access = increased digital risk. Controlling the Toxic Trio goes a long way toward decreasing the risk of sextortion, too.

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New patterns might also mean teen drivers are on the road more during the summer. Many states like mine have strict rules for how many passengers are allowed and time of day restrictions. But more focused driving is good for everyone. If your child has an iPhone, there’s the handy Do Not Disturb feature that can be locked in the Control Panel if you swipe down on the locked home screen.

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For Android users, follow these instructions.

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3. NEW PEOPLE Create Greater Summer Internet Risk

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Just due to having more time, kids hang out with new people during the summer and in larger groups. Parents might have to be more vigilant about who their kid is hanging out with, and whether or not the situation increases the risk of using technology poorly.

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An important question to ask yourself often is, “Do I know enough about the internet rules in each home where my kid is spending time this summer?”

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Parents often ask me, “Chris, how do I talk to a family I don’t know very well about their internet rules?” By being curious and honest. I wrote a section about this in my book, 5 Habits of the Tech-Ready Family, including curious and honest questions we can ask parents of our kids' friends. For example:

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“What are your digital device rules? I want to ensure that my son obeys what’s important to you.” This is a great first question, because you’re immediately showing them that you’re not motivated by judgment but rather by a desire to honor what’s important to them. Parents have told me that this sometimes gives them information they can build on in follow-up questions.

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Because your child is only as safe their friend with the weakest digital rules.

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Your Recipe for a Safer Summer:

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Remember: New Places, New Patterns, and New People can create greater digital risks. It's time to prepare our amazing children for an amazing summer, touching lots of grass! But it starts with us, our conversations, and our intentionality. There's no passive parenting in the digital age! Follow the tips above, and you're on your way to creating safer digital spaces.

What if I have more questions? How can I stay up to date?

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Two actions you can take!

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1. If you have more questions: Order Chris's book (or audiobook)! Supported by science, built on deep experience, biblical truth, and proven by thousands of success stories, 5 Habits of the Tech-Ready Family will help readers raise wise kids in a wild digital world.
2. Stay up to date: Subscribe to our tech trends newsletter, the PYE Download. Monthly, we’ll share what families need to know, what the PYE team is up to, and a message from Chris.

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