Author: CalPrivacy Public & External Affairs Division
Published: Feb 10, 2026
On February 10, Safer Internet Day, we take the opportunity to pause and focus on how we can help young people navigate the online world more safely. While kids and teens are often quick to adopt new technologies, adults play an important role in helping their children build data privacy skills that will protect their personal information as they move into adulthood.
From school platforms and gaming apps to social media and streaming services, young people interact with digital tools every day, often before they fully understand how their personal information is collected, used, and shared. Recent surveys have shown that many teens spend a large portion of their time online. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office, up to 95% of teens use social media, with two-thirds of kids reporting daily use, and another third reporting constant use.
At CalPrivacy, we believe privacy protection is a key part of online safety. Below are practical steps parents, caregivers, and educators can take to support safer, more privacy-protective online experiences for young people.
App and Device Privacy Settings
Many apps popular with kids and teens collect location data, contacts, usage behavior, and other personal information by default.
What to do:
- Review privacy and permission settings on phones, tablets, and laptops used by children.
- Turn off location access unless it’s essential.
- Limit access to microphones, cameras, and contact lists.
- Choose the most restrictive privacy settings when setting up new apps or accounts.
Starting with privacy-protective defaults reduces unnecessary data collection from the beginning. Read our tips on limiting mobile tracking to learn more.
Talk About Personal Information
Online safety conversations often focus on avoiding strangers, but privacy risks also come from how platforms collect and share data.
Help young people understand:
- What counts as personal information (name, location, photos, school, habits).
- Quizzes, games, and filters can still collect data.
- Once information is shared online, it can be difficult to take back.
These conversations don’t need to be technical — just clear and age-appropriate. Read more about personal information.
Be Mindful of School and Education Technology
Many students use digital tools for homework, communication, and classroom activities. While these tools can be helpful, they may also collect personal data.
Consider:
- Asking schools what data education apps collect and how it’s used
- Encouraging use of tools that collect only what’s necessary
- Reviewing school-provided account settings when possible
Student privacy is an important part of creating a safe learning environment.
Help Teens Secure Their Accounts
As teens begin managing their own accounts, basic security habits become essential.
Encourage teens to:
- Use unique passwords for important accounts.
- Enable multi-factor authentication when available.
Be cautious about clicking links or responding to messages that seem urgent or unusual. These habits protect not just accounts, but personal information tied to them. Learn more about how to secure your accounts on our privacy tips page.
Normalize Checking Privacy Settings Over Time
Apps and platforms change frequently, and so do their privacy settings.
Make it a habit to:
- Revisit privacy settings every few months.
- Review new features together.
- Talk openly about new apps, games, or platforms before downloading them.
Privacy protection isn’t a one-time task, it’s ongoing.
Safer Internet Day Is About Building Skills
Helping young people stay safe online doesn’t require constant monitoring or alarm. It’s about giving them the tools, knowledge, and support they need to make informed choices about their personal information tools they can take into adulthood.
This Safer Internet Day, take a few small steps to check settings, start conversations, and reinforce privacy-protective habits. These actions help young people build confidence, resilience, and control in an increasingly connected world.
CalPrivacy is committed to supporting Californians — of all ages — in understanding and exercising their privacy rights. Explore our resources to learn more about protecting personal information online.