As children spend more time online during summer, Internet Safety Month highlights the dangers they face, including exposure to explicit material. Lauren Book, founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids and a former Florida senator, shared insights on how families can protect children from online risks.

Practical Steps for Families

Book emphasized the importance of having ongoing conversations about internet safety, updating passwords, setting clear boundaries, and using parental controls. She also stressed the need for parents to be aware of online grooming and sextortion, and to monitor their children’s online activities.

According to Book, one in every five children will experience unwanted exposure to sexually explicit material while on the internet. She advised parents to keep devices in common areas, have conversations about online safety, and model healthy digital behavior.

Book also discussed the importance of reviewing policies of different games and websites, and being aware of changes in children’s behavior that may indicate online risks. She encouraged families to take a proactive approach to internet safety and to navigate the online world together.

Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.