Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series, a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast. Join therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, as she answers real-life parenting questions to help you find your calm in the chaos of parenting—and not lose your, well… you know.
TODAY'S QUESTION:
"How do I protect my child from online dangers while still giving them independence?"
Your child begs for more screen time. They want their own social media account and insist that everyone in their class has unlimited internet access. Meanwhile, your mind jumps to all the online dangers—strangers, inappropriate content, cyberbullying—the list goes on. So how do you strike the balance between keeping them safe and giving them the independence they crave?
In this episode, Vanessa shares how to teach kids to navigate the digital world safely rather than simply blocking access. She explains why making mistakes while they still have your guidance is key to long-term digital responsibility. From setting age-appropriate boundaries to helping kids think critically before they post, this episode provides practical, real-life strategies to keep kids safe online without creating unnecessary fear.
TUNE IN TO LEARN:
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCE:
Vanessa also shares a must-have book for educators, school counselors, and therapists—30-Minute Groups: Online Safety for Middle and High School Students by Dr.
NJ RESIDENTS, WORK WITH VANESSA Book a free 15-minute therapy consultation https://www.freetobemindful.com/contact
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DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.
