Safety Tips: 8 Digital Tools for Families to Stay Safe This Summer

Summer brings a lot of fun, but it also comes with risks that are easy to miss. Kids are online more. Families travel. Teens might hear knocks on the door from a new neighbor or get calls from unknown numbers. With school ending soon, now is the right time to set up some basic safety measures. You don’t need to spend hours or install complicated software. Most of the tools you need are already online and simple to use.

Why Summer Safety Starts With a Digital Checkup

Summer usually changes your family’s routine. That means more screen time, more calls and texts, and more new people entering your circle. Scams, risky social invites, and misleading messages become easier to fall for. Kids and teens may think they can spot a scam, but many online threats look real.

8 Digital Safety Tips for Families to Use This Summer 

Stay alert and stay safe. These quick digital tips help parents and guardians protect kids from scams, unsafe contacts, and risky situations while school’s out. 

#1 Check Unknown Phone Numbers Before Picking Up

According to a 2023 U.S. PIRG report, 92% of Americans received scam or spam calls, and 21% lost money due to them. That means almost everyone with a phone is a target. Summer, with its relaxed routines, makes kids and teens more likely to answer calls they normally wouldn’t.

Scam calls don’t take a summer break. They often increase during school holidays.

What to Do: Use a Reverse Phone Number Lookup Tool

You can run any phone number through a reverse phone number lookup tool to see details like the owner’s full name, any known aliases, present address, recent phone numbers with their line type (wireless or landline), age, relatives’ names and ages, and email address. A VOIP number is often a warning sign since those are easy to make and harder to trace. These checks help you decide if the contact is real or suspicious.

Why It Matters

• It helps you spot fake "school trip" or "camp sign-up" calls
• It gives you peace of mind when teens get calls from new contacts
• It helps you stop scam attempts before they turn into real problems

#2 Review All New Contacts Your Kids Add

Summer brings new friends. Some may be real. Others may not be.

A 2023 McAfee study showed that nearly 25% of teenagers reported being targeted by fake accounts or suspicious messages online. That makes it even more important to double-check new phone numbers or social media friends.

Ask your child to show you new contacts they added recently. If a name or number seems off, look it up. There are tools that let you check if the number is active, who owns it, and what kind of device it's connected to.

This is helpful when your kid starts texting someone from summer camp or an online game. You can check if that person is who they say they are without your child feeling like you're being too strict.

#3 Search Names of Babysitters, Tutors, and Summer Staff

A lot of families hire part-time help during the summer. Whether it’s a dog walker, a tutor, or someone running a backyard camp, don’t skip the name check.

Tools You Can Use

• People search tools show public info like age, past addresses, and other known contact info
• Background checks give you a more complete picture, showing employment history, past names, criminal records, and known associates, which helps you make safer decisions about who’s around your kids

Why It’s Worth Doing

It takes two minutes. You avoid handing over your child’s safety to a total stranger.

#4 Track Suspicious Links Shared Over Text or Social Media

Scams targeting teens are getting harder to catch. Some messages look like they’re from trusted platforms but actually lead to malware or phishing sites.

 

Teens often get links from friends that claim to offer free concert tickets, online games, or giveaways. Some of these are traps.

You can use a link-checking tool to preview where a link goes before anyone clicks it. This is a quick way to stop phishing scams and malware downloads from spreading on your teen’s phone.

#5 Scan Your Contact List for Inactive or Suspicious Numbers

Phone numbers change all the time. Old numbers can get reassigned. Some of them end up in the hands of scammers.

Use a phone validator to scan your contact list. It shows which numbers are inactive, reachable, or belong to VOIP users.

Cleaning up your list helps:

• Keep group messages safe
• Avoid texting scammers by mistake
• Make sure your kids are not connected with fake numbers

#6 Teach Kids How to Spot Red Flags in Messages

Digital tools are helpful, but they work better when kids know what to avoid.

Spend time showing your child:

• What a real message from school or camp looks like
• What types of questions no real person should ever ask (like for passwords or personal photos)
• How to check a link or phone number before replying

This makes them feel in control, not just monitored.

#7 Keep Devices Updated and Use Built-in Safety Settings

Software updates often include better safety settings. Make sure all devices are up to date. Also check if your device has parental controls. These help block risky websites or alert you when strange activity happens.

Settings worth turning on:

• Screen time controls
• Safe browsing filters
• App permissions review

#8 Talk About Plans That Involve Meeting Someone in Person

If your teen wants to meet a friend they made online, always ask for full names and contact info. Check the number and name through lookup tools. Confirm it’s a real person with a traceable record.

Even if the plan sounds simple—like grabbing boba tea or meeting at the park—check first. It doesn’t mean you don’t trust your child. It means you’re looking out for their safety.

Conclusion

Digital safety doesn’t have to be complicated. A few quick steps—like checking unknown numbers, reviewing new contacts, and scanning for suspicious links—can go a long way in protecting your family’s peace of mind.

Summer should be about fun, not second-guessing who’s calling or messaging your kids. With the right tools and habits in place, you can stay ahead of common risks and help your children enjoy their break with fewer worries.

A little effort now can prevent bigger issues later.