It’s important to teach kids about stranger safety. In the past this may have been called “stranger danger,” however using this terminology implies all strangers are dangerous, and anyone they know is not dangerous. Perhaps the topic should be called “personal safety.” Kids need to know what to do in tricky situations whether the adult is a stranger or not. This article shares easy tips on how to talk to kids about staying safe with anyone, including strangers.

Talk Openly:

Start by having open conversations with your child. Make sure they feel comfortable talking to you about anything. This way, they’ll be more likely to come to you if something doesn’t feel right.

Learn Basic Info:

Make sure your child knows their full name, address and phone number. This info can be helpful if they ever need to ask for help. Practice it together so they remember it.

Practice Scenarios:

Play pretend with your child to help them practice what to do in different situations. For example, act out someone offering them a ride or asking for help. This helps them know how to react if something like that happens. They need to know that adults should never need help from kids and never ask kids to keep secrets.

Trust Your Instincts:

Tell your child it’s okay to trust their feelings. If something feels wrong, they should say “no” and find help. Encourage them to trust their instincts when thinking about stranger safety.

Safe Places:

Help your child identify safe places in the neighborhood where they can go if they need help. This could be a neighbor’s house, a store or their school. Knowing these safe spots makes them feel more secure.

Online Safety:

Explain that being safe isn’t just about people they meet in person. Teach them about being safe online too. Make sure they know not to share personal information on the internet and set rules for their online activities.

Teaching kids about safety with strangers, whether we call it stranger danger, personal safety or something else, is about making sure they know how to stay safe without scaring them. By talking openly, practicing scenarios, trusting their feelings, identifying safe places, and discussing online safety, parents can help their kids navigate the world safely.