Keeping Your Teenagers Safe Online: A Guide for Georgia Parents
Mitchell Law receives calls from concerned Georgia parents on a regular basis seeking guidance in tough situations involving their teenagers. Issues include cyberbullying and, often, inappropriate contact from adults to their children using popular apps like Snapchat and Instagram. Parents and other concerned adults often do not know where to turn or how to balance protecting their children and alerting the appropriate authorities. As parents, the responsibility of keeping teenagers safe online can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. By fostering open communication, educating your children about online safety, and setting clear boundaries, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with their internet and app use.
Reports of inappropriate behavior by teachers in Georgia are usually taken very seriously, and state laws and school district policies are in place to address these issues. Allegations often result in criminal charges, termination, and investigation by law enforcement, even in cases involving students who are of or near the age of consent.
Georgia news outlets frequently report on notable cases and arrests involving alleged inappropriate contact between adults and minor children:
Pace Academy (Atlanta): In September 2025, a former teacher, Marshall Lopez, was arrested and charged with sexually battering minors. Warrants state he spanked two female students in his classroom despite their objections.
Lowndes County: In June 2025, a former teacher and coach was arrested and accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley (Macon): A former eighth-grade teacher was arrested in Macon in June 2025 on charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse related to inappropriate text messages with a student.
Often, inappropriate contact between adults and minors start online and on popular apps such as Snapchat. In today’s digital age, the internet is an integral part of our lives, especially for teenagers who often use it for socializing, learning, and entertainment. However, this vast online world also presents risks, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and potential predators. As parents, it’s crucial to take proactive steps to ensure your children are safe while navigating the internet.
Here are some strategies for keeping teenagers safe online, preventing them from becoming targets of online predators, and promoting the safe use of popular apps like Snapchat and Instagram.
Understanding the Online Landscape
The internet can be a double-edged sword. While it offers incredible opportunities for education and connection, it also exposes teenagers to dangers and predators. It is not unusual for teachers and other adults working with teens to “friend” children, “follow” their pages, and then have unique insight into their lives outside of school. Understanding this landscape and the modern day online relationship between adults and children in educational setting is essential for effective parenting.
1. The First Line of Defense: Open Communication and Trust
Encouraging open communication with your teenagers about their online activities is the first step in keeping them safe. Discuss the potential risks associated with the internet, and make sure they feel comfortable coming to you with their concerns or questions. When your teen feels comfortable enough to confide in you about a potential problem, saying “thank you for trusting me with this information” goes a long way in making your teen feel safe and heard.
For example, if your teenager receives a friend request from someone they don’t know, encourage them to discuss it with you. Teach them to be skeptical of strangers online and to consider the implications of accepting such requests. It is especially important to teach your teenagers that they do not have to “friend” any adult they know, even if that adult is a teacher or coach. Many inappropriate relationships between teachers, coaches, and teenagers start on messaging apps. Online predators often exploit children’s naivety and curiosity. As a parent, you can take steps to minimize these risks having open, honest, and frequent communications about how they are connecting with online.
2. Educate About Privacy Settings
Many social media platforms, including Snapchat and Instagram, offer privacy settings that can significantly enhance safety. Teach your teenagers how to use these settings effectively. For example, on Instagram, users can set their profiles to private, meaning only approved followers can see their posts. Encourage your child to review their followers regularly and remove anyone they do not know personally. Teach your teen that they can always “unfriend” a person who is acting strangely or making them uncomfortable. Some teens will simply stop engaging with a person but leave them “friended”, which allows the individual to continue to monitor their posts and even their activities.
One privacy setting that should be addressed immediately is Instagram’s new location-sharing feature called Instagram Map. This feature was launched in August and allows users to share their real-time location with friends on a map. Your location is displayed as a profile picture and can include mini posts, and you can tap on a friend or post to see more details. This feature surprised Instagram users when it was first launched, and users quickly moved to opt-out of the feature. As a parent, you should ensure your teen has opted-out from Instagram Map. The potential pitfalls of allowing your teen’s followers access to their whereabouts are too costly.
3. Monitor Online Activity
While it’s important to respect your child’s privacy and autonomy, keeping an eye on their online activities can help protect them. It is wise to use parental control software to monitor usage and set limits. Popular parental control software like Bark, Net Nanny, and Qustodio can help monitor online interactions and alert you to potential dangers. Familiarize yourself with these tools and discuss with your teenager how they can help keep them safe rather than viewing them as an invasion of privacy.
allows a parent or guardian advanced content monitoring. You might consider using apps like Bark that allow you to see which websites your child visits and how much time they spend on various platforms. This can provide insight into their online behavior and help you have informed discussions about safe practices.
4. Discuss the Dangers of Sharing Personal Information
Popular social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram can offer fun ways for teenagers to connect with friends, but they also come with unique risks. Understanding how to navigate these platforms safely is key. Teach your children the importance of not sharing personal information online, including their full name, address, school, phone number, and sports teams. Predators often use this information to manipulate or locate their victims. Adults trying to get close to your teens may use this information to try and build a sense of familiarity with your teen or plan meet-ups. Encourage your children to wait until they are home to post about their location or activities.
5. Teach Digital Etiquette and Respect
Encouraging your teenagers to practice good digital etiquette is crucial to maintaining a safe online environment. They should understand the importance of treating others with respect online, just as they would in person. This includes not engaging in cyberbullying or sharing inappropriate content. Georgia has specific anti-bullying laws, and teens can get into hot water very quickly if they are not mindful of the consequences. Talk to your children about how to handle negative or upsetting online messages constructively. Encourage them to block or report the individual instead of retaliating, which can escalate the situation.
6. Discuss the Consequences of Oversharing
Teenagers may not fully grasp the long-term implications of oversharing personal content. Remind them that once something is posted online, it can be difficult to erase, as it may be captured or shared by others. Have conversations about the importance of thinking before posting photos or stories that could embarrass them later or expose others to groups of followers they do not want. For example, if your teen is not on Instagram but her friend posts a picture of her, that data will be accessible to an entire group of followers your teen has no control over. Encourage your teens to be confident when asking others to avoid posting photographs and unflattering information online.
7. Set Boundaries for Screen Time
Excessive screen time can lead to various issues and cause teenagers to miss out on all the activities and experiences that make young adulthood wonderful. Negative consequences include reduced physical activity, disrupted sleep patterns, and increased exposure to negative online interactions. Establishing clear boundaries around screen time can help mitigate these risks. A popular way to limit screen time is to implement a rule that devices are put away during family meals or that there is a designated "no-phone" time before bed to encourage better sleep hygiene. I
8. Regularly Review Online Safety Practices
Just as technology evolves, so do the risks. Make it a habit to have regular discussions with your teenager about their online experiences and any new apps or trends they may be exploring. A good strategy is to schedule monthly check-ins where you can discuss any new friends they've made online, any concerning interactions, or new apps they’re using. This not only keeps you informed but also shows your teenager that their safety is a priority for you. You may also practice discussing different scenarios where they might encounter online bullying or inappropriate requests. Practicing responses can help them feel more confident and prepared to handle such situations in real life.
Ultimately, empowering your teenagers with the knowledge they need to navigate the online world safely is crucial. Encourage them to be proactive about their safety and to advocate for themselves when faced with potentially harmful situations.
Contact Mitchell Law if your child has been a victim of inappropriate online contact
Keeping teenagers safe online requires a proactive and engaged approach from parents. By maintaining open lines of communication, educating your children on safe practices, and modeling responsible online behavior, you can help your teenagers navigate the digital landscape securely. If your teen has been a victim of an online predator, it is important to understand the legal options and potential safeguards you can put in place to protect your teenagers.
Engaging a law firm like Mitchell Law can help you make good decisions for the protection of your family and empower you to advocate for your child in school and police investigations. Our firm offers flexible hourly consulting fees for families that may not want to pursue a legal claim for damages but want guidance in how to handle the fallout of an inappropriate online relationship.
