What parents needs to know about social media, gaming, and digital citizenship

It might seem like the right move in the moment, but it shuts down trust and teaches kids to hide things. And when they’re afraid of consequences, they’re far less likely to ask for help when something goes wrong.

That was one of the key takeaways from the FREE parent info session held at Burnaby North Secondary on Thursday, May 8th, 2025. Conducted by Safe Schools Together and hosted by Burnaby DPAC, here are some of the points that were covered, along with some tools and real-world suggestions for keeping kids safe and supported in today’s digital world.

Communication First, Always

• Never have tough conversations about online use while your child is using a device. Wait until a calm time, like while cooking, driving, or playing, to bring up sensitive topics.
• Build consistent tech routines as a family:
  • Learn how location sharing works on your child’s phone.
  • Ask who they talk to online and what they’re doing in apps.
  • Set device-free times for the whole family. Mealtimes are a great start.
  • Ask how online content makes them feel: happy? sad? anxious?
  • Talk about your own tech use and screen habits. Be real.

What to Know About Sextortion, Vault Apps and Sharing Intimate Images

Sextortion: It’s Real, and It’s Targeting Boys

• Boys are increasingly being targeted, especially for money through gift card scams.
• Girls are typically targeted for more photos.
• Warning sign: sudden interest in gift cards or borrowing money to buy them.

Sharing Intimate Images: Laws Parents and their Children Should Know

• Taking or sharing intimate images without consent is illegal.
• Forwarding someone else’s image, even if they shared it willingly, is illegal.
• A child sharing images of themselves will lead to a police conversation, not just a school discussion.

Key resources:

• BC youth-focused removal site: Take Back Your Images
• Global (under 18): Take It Down
• Global (18+): StopNCII.org

Hidden Apps (Vault Apps)

• Kids may use vault apps to hide what they’re really doing. These look like calculators or calendars but function as locked folders.

More info:

• Hidden Apps and Vaults: How Kids Can Hide Content on Phones
• 11 “Vault Apps” Parents Should Know About

What You Should Know About Roblox

Roblox is one of the most popular platforms for kids, and one of the most problematic.

What Makes It Risky:

• It’s designed to be financially addictive. Games inside games encourage spending and upselling.
• Many games are low-quality and user-generated; some with problematic, violent, or sexual content.
• It’s a hotbed for predators:
  • Roblox Has a Predator Problem (video)
  • Roblox: The Gaming Platform with a Predator Problem | Big Take (podcast)
  • Bloomberg report

Safer Roblox Practices:

1. Play with them: Join in or watch while they play.
2. Set a rule: Only play when you’re present.
3. Check in: Ask who they talk to/what they play.
4. Real-life friends only: They should only chat with people they know offline.
5. Verify: Contact the other kid’s parents to make sure it’s really them.

Want to Move Away from Roblox?

1. Ask what games they like within Roblox, then find better alternatives elsewhere.
2. Identify the leader in their friend group and work with their parents to shift the group’s play elsewhere.
3. Tie Robux and game time to real-world chores.
4. Consider forming a Minecraft Club, a more creative and controlled alternative.

More on the exploitative design of Roblox:

• “Literally just child gambling,” says study

Tools & Resources to Bookmark

Reporting, Support, and Learning

• ERASE (BC): erase.gov.bc.ca
  • For student and parent reporting, education, and free school resources
• Parent/Caregiver Resources from Safer Schools Together

A Great Game for Families

Interland by Google is an online game about digital safety and citizenship. It’s engaging for kids and grownups alike.

Final Thoughts

The most important thing isn’t a specific app to avoid or a trick to block content. It’s your relationship with your child.

We can’t supervise every second, but we can build trust. So when something scary or uncomfortable happens online, our kids don’t freeze, panic, or hide it. They talk to us.

That’s how we keep them safe.

If you were not able to attend, Safer Schools Together also offers complimentary Family Sessions through the Ministry of Education and Childcare’s ERASE strategy. These sessions are online, and you can find out more at the links below.

Establishing Family Practices for Safeguarding Against Cyberbullying and Sextortion. FREE Upcoming Remote Sessions: