Holidays often mean being outside your normal environment — airports, hotels, relatives' homes. That also means kids may run into new risks: unfiltered Wi-Fi, older cousins scrolling TikTok, fewer boundaries, or less direct supervision.
The good news? A little prep talk before you go makes a big difference. Talk about what to do if kids see something inappropriate, remind them to leave the situation and tell a trusted adult, and watch for quiet or secretive behavior as signals.
Discuss Safety in Advance
Talk to kids ahead of time about what might come up. Keep it short and simple:
"If you see something on a screen that feels scary or wrong, come tell me. You won't be in trouble — we'll figure it out together."
This gives them a script and reassurance. Kids often keep quiet because they fear they'll be punished. By naming it early, you give them permission to come to you without shame.
If your kids will be around younger cousins, talk about being mindful of what they watch, too:
"Your cousin is little, so let's stick to shows we can all enjoy when we're in the same room."
Watch for Signs of Upset or Secretive Behavior
Even with prep, kids won't always tell you when something's wrong. Keep an eye out for signs that they may have stumbled across inappropriate content:
- Suddenly quiet or withdrawn.
- Hiding their screen when you walk by.
- Acting jumpy, upset, or unusually secretive.
If you notice these shifts, approach gently. Curiosity works better than confrontation:
"I noticed you turned your tablet off really fast just now. Did something come up that made you uncomfortable?"
The goal isn't to catch them "doing something wrong" — it's to open the door so they feel safe sharing.
Remember: Other People's Rules, Other People's Screens
Extended family and friends might not share your approach to screen time. Kids may see or hear things you wouldn't allow at home. You can't control every screen in the room — but you can prepare your child to navigate it:
Remind them of family values:
"In our family, we skip videos that are mean to people or show scary things. That's still true, even if other kids are watching."
Give them a plan:
"If your cousins want to watch something you're not comfortable with, you can come hang out with me or suggest a different show."
A Travel Analogy
Think of it like seatbelts. You can't control how everyone else on the road drives, but you can buckle your kids in and teach them what to do if something happens. Screen safety while traveling works the same way: prepare, protect, and keep the conversation open.