Consider what device and when you allow your child to access it. The Wait Until 8th campaign works to empower parents to say yes to waiting until 8th grade to give their child a smartphone. They also provide a list of alternative communication devices that can be more helpful for the needs of elementary-aged students and information about the importance of delaying and minimizing smartphone access for younger children.
Work to ensure you've adequately set up devices to guard against harmful apps and defend your devices. The Wait Until 8th campaign has an entire database of guides separated by the device. Click here to learn more.
If your child already has a smartphone or uses other devices with internet access, there are ways to protect your child from unsafe content through parental controls. You can learn more about parental controls by visiting Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls by common sense media.