How to Talk to a 10-Year-Old About Online Privacy and Digital Boundaries

Why Digital Privacy Matters at Age 10

By the time your child reaches age 10, their digital world isn't just a place they visit for fun—it's becoming a space where friendships, questions, play, and identity take shape. With school websites, messaging apps, YouTube channels, online games, and even school-assigned tablets, 10-year-olds are increasingly navigating the vast digital universe, often without fully understanding the risks and routines that adults take for granted.

So how do you talk to a child about the concept of digital privacy without overwhelming them or making it all sound like a lecture? The answer lies in starting early, focusing on connection over control, and speaking their language. You don’t need to know everything about the latest app or game—they need to know that you’re someone they can turn to when they feel unsure.

Start With What They Know

A helpful entry point is to draw a parallel between digital privacy and real-world privacy. For example, you can ask, “How would you feel if someone looked through your backpack without asking?” or, “Would you like it if a stranger asked you personal questions while standing too close?”

Use these scenarios to introduce basic ideas:

• Your body and your thoughts belong to you—so does the stuff you do or say online.
• Some information is okay to share with friends (like favorite foods or hobbies), while other things (like your full name, where you live, or what school you go to) should only be shared with trusted people.

This approach creates a foundation for more nuanced conversations later, without jumping straight into scary concepts like identity theft or cyberbullying.

Build Curiosity, Not Fear

Instead of warning phrases like, “Don’t ever share your password,” try spotlighting values your child already understands, like kindness, honesty, and courage. You might say something like, “Being respectful online includes not posting pictures of other people without their okay,” or “Just like you wouldn’t enter someone’s bedroom without knocking, you shouldn't open someone else’s texts or accounts.”

Empowering rather than policing can foster ongoing dialogue. Kids are more likely to open up about strange messages or negative online experiences if they know they won’t be punished or shamed for being honest.

Avoid Information Overload

One common hurdle for parents? Thinking that “the talk” has to cover everything at once—from cookies and tracking to sexting and firewalls. The truth is, these conversations work best when they happen in small, life-based moments: when your child wants to create an online avatar, when they ask for a new app, or when a classmate shares a meme during recess.

Consider offering age-appropriate content to support your child’s curiosity responsibly. Apps like LISN Kids on iOS and Android deliver original audiobooks and audio series designed for ages 3–12, where themes like trust, honesty, and empathy are woven into engaging stories—perfect for inspiring meaningful conversations without screens.

Give Them “Digital Consent” Vocabulary

By age 10, kids are ready to understand basic principles of consent within a digital framework. Try these phrases that you can roleplay during downtime or car rides:

• “That photo is of me. Can you ask me before you post it?”
• “Can I show you this video before I send it to our group?”
• “I don’t think I want to join that group chat—it feels too busy.”

By gently reinforcing these sentences, your child learns that online participation should, just like offline interactions, honor boundaries and respect choice. If you're unsure how to phrase more complex ideas in a kid-friendly way, consider reading our guide on explaining online privacy to children.

Let Curiosity Lead the Way

You might be surprised by how much your child already knows—or thinks they know—about the internet. Make space for their questions, even if you don’t have all the answers. Questions like:

• “Can my teacher see what I Google?”
• “Why does that game ask for my birthday?”
• “Is it okay that I use my cousin’s login?”

These moments are golden opportunities to uncover gaps in their understanding and offer support. You don’t have to be a tech expert, just a steady, emotionally available sounding board. If you're wondering how to keep this balance between discovery and safety, you might appreciate our article on supporting your child's digital discovery journey.

Practice What You Preach

Children pay more attention to what we model than what we say. If we overshare on social media, leave devices unlocked, or post pictures without asking them, we risk sending mixed messages. Ask your child, “Is it okay if I post this photo from your school play?” or “Should we come up with a family rule about screen names together?”

Co-creating device or app rules (rather than setting them unilaterally) can help kids feel ownership and involvement. Check out our 9 smart tips for helping kids use apps calmly and confidently for actionable family strategies.

Keep the Door Open

The conversation about online privacy isn’t a one-time talk—it’s a lifelong dialogue. And like many aspects of parenting, it evolves with your child. Staying curious, compassionate, and consistent gives your child the grounding they need to think critically and act responsibly in an increasingly connected world.

As your child grows and begins to explore more independently, resources and contextual tips like whether it’s okay to let a 7-year-old use apps alone (read more here) or what digital content suits preschoolers (see our recommendations) can help build a thoughtful digital foundation at every age.