What if your teen doesn't actually want to keep secrets from you?

Sometimes, teens hide parts of their lives not because they want to rebel, but because they don't feel comfortable being fully themselves around their parents.

Want to help your kids and teens spot online predators and feel safe coming to you when something uncomfortable happens online?

My $27 Help Your Kids and Teens Spot Online Predators Talking Scripts and mini-course give you exactly what to say to help your kids recognize warning signs, build trust, and feel more comfortable opening up to you.

Get the Talking Scripts and mini-course here:
https://cyberfareedah.samcart.com/products/from-groomed-online-to-forbes-5-steps-from-online-predator-danger-to-teen-empowerment

In this episode of Secret Lives of Teens Online, I'm sharing something I wish more parents understood: Your teen might not want to have a secret life. They might just feel like they have to.

I know what that's like because I lived a secret online life as a teen. There were so many things I wanted to tell my mom about the people I was talking to online, but I worried about being judged, shamed, or misunderstood.

And that's what I want parents to understand.

Your teen doesn't need you to agree with everything they do. But they do need to know they can talk to you about it.

In this episode, we talk about why some teens feel like they have to hide things, how online predators can take advantage of secret relationships, and why monitoring your teen's online activity isn't the same as helping them feel safe.

What should you do when your teen tells you something upsetting?

Before reacting to what they did, recognize that they trusted you enough to tell you. Listen, get curious, and help them work through the situation.

Even when your teen disagrees with you, rolls their eyes, or tells you something you don't want to hear, they're still letting you into their world.

And that matters.

Because the goal isn't to know everything your teen does. It's to build the kind of relationship where they don't feel like they have to hide an entirely different life from you.

Want to share your story? If you want to share your experience growing up online (the good, bad, ugly, and beautiful), you can email me at: slotopodcast@gmail.com. You can share your story anonymously in writing or ask about participating in a video interview.

Want to connect? Follow me on Instagram: @CyberFareedah and send me a message with your thoughts on the podcast! You can also connect with me on LinkedIn or wherever else you spend your time online! I’m CyberFareedah everywhere ♥

Want to work with me? If you’re interested in a workshop, speaking engagement, partnership, or other project, email me at support@sekuva.com or submit a booking request here: https://www.cyberfareedah.com/projects