Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
How can we help you?
Below you’ll find the answers to some of the most common questions we’re asked about digital parenting, risks and trends for kids online – and more!
I suspect or have discovered my young son watching porn. What should I do?
We as adults want our children to encounter sexual content as little as possible, and it is our job to help prevent those encounters. Unfortunately, the reality today requires us to talk to our children about the inappropriate sexual content they may see. There is an open ocean of information online, and their access to videos and pictures is far greater than anything we were exposed to.
We need to acknowledge their curiosity and say that we understand this content may seem interesting, but it is not suitable for children, and it is not something we allow them to watch. Not at home, not at school, and not with friends.
This content can scare or disgust children because it is not adapted to their age. We do not want them to think that this is what people look like when they hug, kiss, or become intimate with each other. We also do not want them to think that intimacy is unpleasant, because when people choose to be intimate, it can be a beautiful, positive, and healthy thing. These films do not present it that way, and sometimes they even show it in a violent way. In reality, it is not like that.
What to do if you see this content:
If you are at home, come to us.
If you are at school or in class, go to the adult who is in charge.
If you are with friends, try not to continue watching with them. Leave, and call us.
It is important for children to know that these videos and images are not good for healthy development. Among other things, they can make young viewers think that this is what sexuality between adults really looks like. But it does not present real intimacy. Instead, it often shows private contact between people as something public, and sometimes as something violent or degrading. That is not what real intimacy is like.
This is not what real closeness looks like between people who care for each other, have a relationship, or share mutual love and desire for intimacy. Real intimacy between older people who both want it is a good and pleasant thing. It is not violent and not public. It is based on communication, mutual respect, and privacy. It is not filmed and it is not online.
We are not angry with you, and we will not be angry if you come and tell us that you were accidentally or intentionally exposed to this kind of content. Most importantly, we want you to talk to us, because we have knowledge and understanding about this, and we do not want you to be alone with it.
My kids block the phone with Pin code, what can I do?
There are several reasons why they might do that. They may want privacy, their friends may be doing it, or they could be hiding something. We believe this is a good time to start a conversation and offer to install it as an involved parent, not to track them, but to stay aware of potential risks and to encourage good digital parenting.
I decided to buy a mobile phone to my kid, how can I protect it?
We recommend making a contract with your child as soon as you provide them with a device. This contract should clearly set out the terms for how the device may be used. You can see an example here:
The easiest time to install parental controls is when your child receives their first phone or device. Visit Surfieapp.com and download the app to help protect them from digital threats.
My kids using different device for long hours, what can I do?
As in real life, we need to set boundaries and limit the amount of time children spend on screens. Games and apps are designed in a way that encourages users to spend more time on them and become more engaged.
Surfie provides a tool that helps you see how many hours your child spends online and allows you to set time limits. Surfie can monitor several types of devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and PCs, and you can monitor multiple devices for the same child.
My kids play Digital games till very late at night, what can be done?
You and your child can set a rule that they may use their device for no more than X hours per day. Soon, you will also be able to choose the specific times of day when device use is allowed.
After agreeing on these boundaries, you can easily apply them in Surfie, which will help enforce the rules consistently.
One of kids in my son's class talks about drugs, bulimia and Anorexia?
To better understand the risks your child may face online, it is time to embrace digital parenting and use Surfie as a supportive tool. Surfie helps you stay informed about potential concerns while still respecting your child’s privacy, and it can alert you when conversations about risky topics may be taking place in your child’s digital world.
My child downloads casino apps
The best way is to open it in a discussion with your kid, we recommend you install Surfie and Surfie will let you know which apps is installed and then you can decide to enable and disable the app.
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is harmful behaviour that uses technology such as the internet or mobile phones to humiliate, harass, threaten, embarrass, or attack someone. It can happen on social media, messaging apps, blogs, chats, forums, email, websites, and other digital platforms. It may involve words, images, or videos.
Cyberbullying can take many forms, including harsh or abusive language, repeated harassment, defamation, impersonation, exclusion from groups, sharing private information or images without consent, offensive comments, and violations of privacy.
Who are cyberbullies?
Anyone can become a cyberbully, using technology and anonymity to hurt someone else. It could be someone close to home, a classmate, or a friend’s sibling. Many middle school students have either been victims of cyberbullying or have bullied others online. Whether it is done for revenge or dismissed as a joke, cyberbullying is serious and can cause real harm.
What is the difference between cyberbullying and “regular” bullying?
Cyberbullying can happen anytime, anywhere, even in places that are usually considered safe, such as home or school. Unlike traditional bullying, it does not require the bully and the victim to be in the same place at the same time. Anyone can become a target of cyberbullying, including teachers.
One of the most harmful aspects of cyberbullying is that the person responsible can hide behind a fake identity or anonymous account. Hurtful emails, messages, posts, photos, or videos can also be shared quickly with a large audience, which can make the victim’s experience even more painful.
Cyberbullying can sometimes happen even when it was not the sender’s original intention. For example, a private joke or message that is forwarded to others can become harmful, offensive, or humiliating.
Unlike face-to-face bullying, which usually happens at a specific time and place, cyberbullying can continue long after the first incident. Once harmful content is posted online, it can remain there, be shared repeatedly, and resurface at any time.
Someone has posted hateful things about my child or inappropriate pictures of them on their social-networking page. What should I do?
If someone has posted hateful comments or inappropriate pictures of your child on social media, the first step is to report it to the platform. Most social media sites have tools for reporting abusive, harmful, or inappropriate content, and posts or accounts that violate their rules may be removed.
Tell your child not to respond to the messages or posts, as replying may encourage the person to continue. Save evidence by taking screenshots and keeping links or copies of the content before it is removed.
If the person involved is someone from your child’s school, inform the school as well so they can take appropriate action. If the posts include threats, explicit images, or serious harassment, consider reporting it to the police or the relevant authorities.
What should I do if my child is a cyberbully?
If your child is bullying someone online, address it calmly but seriously. Sit down with them and explain the impact their behaviour can have on the other person, making it clear that cyberbullying is unacceptable. Try to understand why they are doing it, and take steps to stop the behaviour immediately.
It is also important to set clear consequences, monitor their online activity more closely, and encourage empathy and responsible digital behaviour. If needed, seek support from a school counsellor or another professional to help address the issue.