Kids who spend time on the internet, which is to say most American children, leave a breadcrumb trail of data on their way from point A to some point where they will see inappropriate content. Is it possible to change this? Maybe. Setting strict rules for your child can help protect them online, but exposure to mature material and privacy risks is inevitable. That is why it’s so important to talk to children about being safe and responsible on the internet, whether you’re there to monitor them or not. Think of it as the new sex talk then consider having it a bunch of times. There is, after all, a lot to cover: best internet guidelines, device usage, online games, and social media.

Fatherly built this guide to help parents keep their kids safe online. We talked to digital privacy experts and parents about online safety training, kids’ privacy, and what the law, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), can help with – everything you need to feel confident when your kids go online.