You can't protect what you don't understand. This chapter walks you through exactly where your child spends their digital hours, what they're doing there, and what risks come with each device and app. It's your roadmap to the digital world your kid is actually living in.
| Danger | What it means in practice | Most common on | Risk level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stranger contact | Adults posing as peers in games, DMs, or chat rooms - often the first step of grooming. | Roblox, Discord, Instagram, Snapchat | High |
| Explicit content | Pornography, graphic violence or self-harm content accessible via open search or recommendations. | Google, Twitter/X, Reddit, Tumblr | High |
| Cyberbullying | Harassment, exclusion, or humiliation by peers through messages, comments, or shared images. | WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat | High |
| Location sharing | Apps that broadcast your child's real-time location to contacts - or to the public. | Snapchat, Life360, Instagram, Find My | High |
| In-app purchases | Games built to nudge kids into spending on virtual items - often before they realise real money is leaving your account. | Roblox, Fortnite, App Store games | Medium |
| Screen addiction | Algorithm-driven apps built to maximise engagement - disrupting sleep, focus and real-world relationships. | TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, gaming | Medium |
| Malware & phishing | Dangerous links or downloads disguised as games, rewards or messages from friends. | Email, browser, Discord, WhatsApp | Medium |
| Privacy oversharing | Children voluntarily sharing their name, school, address or daily routine on public profiles. | Instagram, TikTok, YouTube | Medium |
| Unfiltered voice search | Smart speakers answering adult questions without filters - children can ask anything. | Alexa, Google Home, Siri | Lower |