Online Safety for Kids Under 8: A Parent’s Guide

Children under 8 mostly go online through tablets, smart TVs, video apps and games, usually on a parent’s device or account. At this age, safety is mostly about the settings you choose and the habits you build together. This guide covers screen guidance, setup and the first lessons to teach. Checked October 25, 2026.

What experts recommend at this age

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ guidance, as summarized by Apple:

• Under 2: avoid screens except video calls with family and friends.
• Ages 2 to 5: set limits that protect time for play, reading and family; choose age-appropriate shows and watch together when you can.
• Ages 6 to 7: leave plenty of room for sleep, play and movement, and turn off autoplay where possible.

Children aged 3 to 5 need 10 to 13 hours of sleep a day including naps, and 6 to 12 year olds need 9 to 12, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Screens shouldn’t cut into that. See Screen Time and Sleep.

Set up devices before they use them

1. Give them their own child profile instead of using your account, so your email, shopping and messages aren’t one tap away.
2. Use a kids’ app or profile for video. YouTube Kids or a supervised experience, and kids’ profiles on streaming services. See YouTube Kids and Supervised Accounts.
3. Turn off autoplay so one video doesn’t roll into the next.
4. Block purchases or require your approval. See In-Game Spending.
5. Use built-in controls: Screen Time on iPhone and iPad, Family Link on Android. On iPad, Guided Access can lock the device to a single app. See iPhone parental controls and Google Family Link.
6. Turn off chat in any game. Young children don’t need to talk to strangers. See Roblox Parental Controls.

Keep screens in shared spaces

At this age, the best safety tool is you being nearby. Use tablets in the living room or kitchen, not bedrooms, and charge them outside bedrooms overnight.

First lessons to teach

• “If you see something that makes you feel scared, sad or confused, show a grown-up.” Praise them when they do.
• “Ask before you download or buy anything.”
• “Don’t tell anyone online your name, school or where you live.”
• “Not everything on a screen is real.” See Misinformation and Deepfakes.

Be thoughtful about what you post

Young children can’t agree to photos being shared. Before posting, ask whether your child would be happy to see it at 15. Avoid posting school names, uniforms or locations, and check who can see your albums. See Who Can See a Shared Photo Album.

Protect their identity now

A credit freeze for your child is free and stops anyone from opening accounts in their name. See How to Freeze a Child’s Credit.

Quick checklist

• Child profile on every device
• Kids’ versions of video apps, autoplay off
• Purchases blocked or approval required
• Chat off in games
• Devices used in shared spaces
• Child’s credit frozen

Frequently asked questions

Are educational apps OK?
Many are. Look for apps without ads or in-app purchases, and use them together when you can.

What about video calls with grandparents?
The AAP specifically excludes video calls with family from its under-2 limits. They’re a great way to stay connected.

When should they get their own device?
Most young children don’t need one. A shared family tablet with a child profile is easier to manage.

Sources

• Screen time guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Apple Support, accessed October 25, 2026
• Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, accessed October 25, 2026
• Family Media Plan, HealthyChildren.org (AAP), accessed October 25, 2026