☕ Coffee Break: Real Talk

A Parent-to-Parent Moment on Internet Safety

I just want to take a moment, from one parent to another, to talk about something that’s been on my heart: internet safety for our kids.

As a mom of multiples, let me be the first to admit — I can’t hover over my kids every second of every day. And I’m not here to pretend I do. This is a safe place, not a judgment zone. Every family is different, and if you’ve found something that works well for yours, that’s amazing — please feel free to share it. We need all the help we can get when it comes to navigating parenting in the digital world.

This is just what we do in our house, and why.

📱 The Phone Dilemma

My oldest got her first phone at 9 years old. Trust me, I was very hesitant. But after weighing the pros and cons, we decided it would do more good than harm. We travel a lot for sports, and it brings me peace of mind knowing she can contact me when she’s at a friend’s house or out at a theme park — without having to awkwardly ask someone to borrow their phone.

But of course, I also had big concerns: predators, cyberbullying, screen addiction — the list goes on.

That’s why we set what I like to call digital STOP signs. Every single app she wants to download requires our permission — not just a verbal ask, but a password. Nothing goes on her phone without our okay.

📺 Tablets, Toddlers, and YouTube (No Thanks)

Now let’s talk tablets. Yes, my younger kids have them — and yes, they come with strict limits. Before anyone jumps down my throat about screen time, hear me out: we ditched YouTube and YouTube Kids altogether.

Why? Because even with monitoring, I kept finding videos that made me go, “Wait, what?!” There is so much content that slips through the cracks — stuff that’s inappropriate, over-stimulating, or just downright weird. And honestly, there's little accountability for how that content can affect young minds.

I totally understand the need to hand your kid a tablet sometimes just so you can wash the dishes, finish a phone call, or simply breathe. But I also know I personally can’t hover over four kids every second — and that’s okay.

So instead of YouTube, here’s what works for us:

📺 Our Favorite Kid-Safe Shows & Apps

• Bluey (forever a favorite in our house)

• Little Bear, Franklin, Arthur – my toddlers actually love these '90s classics

• Dino Dana and Blippi Wonders

• Yippee – a streaming platform made for kids

• Kidzoodle.TV – safe, curated content

• Amazon Prime – we use the parental settings and stick to kid profiles

This makes it much easier to manage what they’re watching without constant hovering. And yes — my older middle child was upset when we took YouTube away. But since doing so, I’ve noticed a positive shift in her mood and behavior. She even told me the other day that her friends think I’m the strictest parent ever — and honestly, I’ll take that L with pride.

🎮 Let's Talk Roblox

Now for the elephant in the room: Roblox. Both of my older kids play it, and every month — scratch that, every week — I have to remind them: don’t talk to strangers on that game.

Because the truth is, there are adults pretending to be kids. They’re building trust, grooming young users, and trying to lure them out into the real world under the disguise of friendship. It’s terrifying. And it’s real.

I’ve even let my kids listen to episodes of Crime Junkies that talk about these kinds of dangers — not to scare them, but to educate them. I don’t want to raise fearful kids, but I do want to raise ones who are smart, cautious, and aware.

💛 No Rulebook, Just Real Life

There’s no official rulebook on how to parent. We’re all figuring it out as we go. Some days I feel like Super Mom. Other days, I’m just surviving. And that’s the truth.

What works for my family might not work for yours. And that’s perfectly okay. But one thing I do know is this: every parent I know just wants to keep their kids safe and raise good humans. That’s worth celebrating, even on the hard days.

So here’s your reminder — you’re doing the best you can. You’re not alone in this. And it’s okay to be the "strict" parent if it means your kids are a little safer.

Sending love, caffeine, and solidarity to all the parents out there just trying to raise their babies right in a messy, digital world. 💻💛