Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird released a list of tips this week to help parents, teachers, and caregivers protect children from online dangers. Bird says, “As a mom and a prosecutor, I know how important it is for parents to be aware of online dangers targeting their kids. It’s valuable for parents to know what steps they can take to keep their kids safe, and to know they have support from my office.” Bird recommends parents be directly involved in their children’s online activity by setting strong privacy controls, limiting screen time, and requiring permission for downloads or purchases. She also encourages blocking inappropriate content and restricting chat functions on phones, apps, and games. The guidance extends to youth who play video games, and she encourages guardians to verify age ratings, restrict in-game purchases, turn off location sharing, and create profile settings tailored to each child. Bird stresses that these guidelines, while helpful, are not foolproof and urges parents to stay in touch with their child’s online activity. Parents concerned about inappropriate platforms can report them to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office at 1-888-777-4590 or the Iowa Attorney General’s Office website.
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