Winter break is here—a time for fun, games, and connecting online with friends. But longer screen time can increase risks for children.
At Darkness to Light, we want to help families make the most of the holidays while keeping kids safe online. That’s why we created our 12 Days of Safety Countdown—12 practical steps you can take with your child each day to promote digital safety and healthy online habits.
Follow along with the countdown for daily tips—and for even more guidance, explore A Safer Winter Break Online, our interactive digital safety resource, available in English and Spanish. It’s designed to help families start important conversations, spot potential risks, and create safer online experiences for children this season and beyond.
Day 1: Start with a Digital Check-In
Ask questions to understand your child’s online world:
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How do you like to spend your time online?
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Has anyone made you feel uncomfortable online?
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What apps or games are your friends using?
Check: Friend lists, messaging settings, profile visibility, and in-game chat restrictions.
Day 2: Review Privacy and Security Settings
Review app and device settings together. Check friend lists, messaging settings, profile visibility, and in-game chat restrictions.
Day 3: Talk About Red Flags
Help kids recognize warning signs, especially when routines change during winter break. Watch for red flags like:
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Requests for personal info
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Excessive flattery or pressure to keep secrets
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Moving conversations to private chats
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Predatory messages or accounts
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Pressure to share photos or participate in viral challenges
Day 4: Keep Devices in Shared Spaces
Encourage screen use in open areas. Shared spaces make it easier to supervise and start conversations naturally.
Day 5: Revisit Online Gaming Boundaries
Games can be fun but risky. Discuss:
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Chat settings and team play with strangers
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When to block or leave a game
Day 6: Prepare for Risky Holiday Content
Talk about potential online risks during the holidays:
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Viral challenges
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Pressure to share photos
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Suspicious messages or accounts
Day 7: Create a Plan for Unexpected Requests
Teach kids to pause and seek help if:
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They receive a request for personal info
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Something online feels off
Reinforce: Children will not be in trouble for speaking up.
Encourage them to use this plan:
Stop –> Screenshot –> Block / Report –> Tell a safe adult
Day 8: Model Healthy Tech Use
Children learn from adults. Set balanced tech habits by:
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Using devices in shared spaces
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Balancing online and offline time
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Demonstrating calm responses to risky online situations
Day 9: Make a Family Tech Agreement
Agree together on safe online practices:
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Where devices can be used
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How to handle risky content
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Who to talk to if something feels off
Core rule: If something feels off, tell a safe adult.
Day 10: Discuss AI and Online Manipulation
Explain how AI-generated images, voices, and messages can mislead children. Teach them to:
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Pause and seek help if someone seems “too perfect” or moves too fast
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Avoid sharing personal photos or videos with strangers
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Recognize that not everything online is real
Caregiver tip: Enable platform tools to detect manipulated media and review privacy settings regularly.
Day 11: Conversation Starters for Winter Break
Keep discussions ongoing:
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What’s something online that made you laugh this week?
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Has anyone said something confusing or weird online?
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What would you do if a message made you feel uncomfortable?
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Who are three safe adults you can talk to if something feels off?
Day 12: Celebrate Safe Digital Habits
Reinforce positive behavior:
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Praise your child for following rules and speaking up
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Review your family plan and tech agreement together
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Encourage safe sharing and responsible online play
Download your family safety plan | Descargue su plan de seguridad familiar en español
