Summer is a time for fun, adventure, and making memories—but as caregivers, it’s also important to ensure the kids in your life have the tools to stay safe.
This guide is here to help you promote safety from abuse, cyberbullying, and online risks. With these simple tips, you can enjoy your summer with confidence, knowing your kids have the strategies to make wise choices and where to go for help if they ever need it.
MBF 5 SAFETY RULES 
Abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, digital dangers, online exploitation, and human trafficking are all very real dangers in our world. And none of us can ever think, “It won’t happen to me,” or that “It won’t happen in my school or community.” The reality is that youth are victimized every day, in every community, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, family status, or anything else.
The MBF 5 Safety Rules© are strategies designed to help you identify and respond to abuse, bullying, and other types of victimization. You can use them to know when a situation or person is unsafe and how to get help from a Safe Adult. If you need a Safety Rule refresher, click below to review each rule and how they are used.
SAFETY RULE #1
Safety Rule #1 is Know What’s Up
FOR CHILDREN, Know What’s Up means knowing your personal information, such as their first name and last name, and where they live (home address). It also means knowing their parents/caregivers’ full names and phone numbers. And, it means that they know what to do in an emergency.
FOR TEENS, Know What’s Up means they are aware of their environment and people around them, both online and in other parts of their lives, that may impact their safety and the safety of others. This includes things like: knowing their personal information and their parents’/caregivers’/Safe Adult’s phone numbers, being aware of the social interactions of those around them, and knowing whether situations are safe and appropriate, and understanding if websites, apps, and online behaviors are safe and appropriate.
How adults can use this Safety Rule:
Talk to children about safety and listen to them. Help them understand unsafe situations and how to use the Safety Rules to keep them safe. Make sure they know your personal contact information and how to reach you and their other Safe Adults. Have a private family password and make sure they know to never go with anyone who doesn’t know it. Ask them questions about times when they are away from you. Know who they are with and what they are doing. Finally, learn about the technology and devices they are using or have access to, and talk to them about potential online dangers.
SAFETY RULE #2
Safety Rule #2 is Spot Red Flags
FOR CHILDREN, Spotting Red Flags means using their awareness of safe versus unsafe situations to determine if someone’s behavior or a social interaction, online or off, is unsafe or inappropriate. It means knowing who can hurt them and how, knowing their personal space and boundaries (including the correct names for your private body parts), and knowing how to stay safe online.
FOR TEENS, Spot Red Flags means they recognize potential dangers, online or in real life. Red Flags may include: bullying, cyberbullying, or other inappropriate online behavior, adults or other teens trying to trick, force, or manipulate them into unsafe or inappropriate situations, and controlling behaviors or emotional or physical abuse between partners in a relationship.
How adults can use this Safety Rule:
Teach children safety concepts such as personal space and boundaries, respecting themselves and others, safe vs. unsafe situations, secrets and tricks, and digital safety. Teach them the correct names for their private body parts, and how to report if anyone looks at, touches, or photographs their private parts. Educate them about Red Flags, both online and off, and how to seek help. If you are talking to children and educating them about possible dangers and how to spot the Red Flag behaviors that lead to those dangers, it minimizes their risk of being victimized.
SAFETY RULE #3
Safety Rule #3 is Make a Move
FOR CHILDREN, Making a Move if they are being hurt or believe a friend is being hurt, they will Make a Move to get to safety or get help. They can Make a Move by GETTING AWAY from unsafe situations or people if possible, or by STAYING AWAY from people and situations you know are unsafe.
FOR TEENS, Make a Move means that after they Spot a Red Flag, or recognize that a situation or person is unsafe, they can Make a Move and GET AWAY from an unsafe situation or person if they can, and STAY AWAY from unsafe or inappropriate people and situations. It also means helping a friend out of an unsafe situation, whether they recognize it’s unsafe or not.
How adults can use this Safety Rule:
If you suspect a child is being harmed, trust yourself and Make a Move to keep them safe. If a child tells you about abuse or bullying that has happened to him/her or another child, praise them for telling you and take action right away. Report bullying to the school or organization where it occurred. Report abuse to your state child welfare agency, and unsafe online behaviors to law enforcement, and the Cybertipline at 800-843-5678. (Visit https://www.childwelfare.gov/organizations/ for state child welfare agencies and contact information.)
SAFETY RULE #4
Safety Rule #4 – Talk It Up
FOR CHILDREN, Talking it Up means using their voice to say “No” when they Spot Red Flags, see an unsafe situation, see a friend who is unsafe, or when someone makes them feel unsafe, online or off, talking to a Safe Adult if they feel unsafe, or aren’t sure if a situation is hazardous and continuing to use their voice to Talk It Up until the have received help.
FOR TEENS, Talk It Up means using your voice to help keep you and others safe. They can Talk It Up by saying “No” to someone who is violating their personal boundaries, or someone who is demonstrating unsafe or inappropriate behaviors to them or others. Talking It Up also means telling (or reporting) a Safe Adult about unsafe or inappropriate situations or behaviors. It also teaches teens that not telling, to avoid being seen as a “snitch,” allows problems to continue to grow and may cause more damaging long-term consequences.
How adults can use this Safety Rule:
Talk to children using everyday opportunities to discuss safety and safe vs. unsafe situations. Ask children to spot Red Flags and use the Safety Rules to protect themselves using role-play opportunities. Let them know they can talk to you about anything, so if the need arises, they will feel comfortable talking to you about difficult topics. Talk to other adults about child safety, so they too become better educated and empowered.
SAFETY RULE #5
Safety Rule #5 – No Blame | No Shame
FOR CHILDREN, No Blame | No Shame reminds them that they are not to blame if they are ever hurt by an adult or another child. They should not be ashamed to tell someone, and it is never too late to tell, no matter what has happened, when it happened, or what they have been told.
FOR TEENS, No Blame | No Shame means knowing they are not to blame if they are ever hurt by an adult or another child. It reminds them that they should not be ashamed to tell someone and that it is never too late to tell, no matter what has happened, when it happened, or what they have been told. It teaches them that talking to a Safe Adult and asking for help if they feel unsafe, or have made an unsafe or inappropriate decision, can help them learn from the experience. It can also help you avoid further negative consequences.
How adults can use this Safety Rule:
Let children know that no matter what happens to them, they are never to blame because adults are responsible for keeping kids safe ALWAYS. Let them know that no matter what they are told, they should never be ashamed to tell you or another Safe Adult about Red Flags, abuse, or anything else they need to tell you to help keep them safe. Let them know you support them. Also remember, if a child is victimized, you are not to blame and you should not be ashamed to seek help. Support is available.
SAFE ADULTS
Every child needs adults in their life they can talk to if they have been hurt or are concerned about their safety. They need adults they can trust to help keep them safe. And their Safe Adults need to know how to help if a child ever comes to them to report they have been harmed. Read on to learn how you can be a Safe Adult and find additional resources.
What is a Safe Adult?
A Safe Adult is someone in a child or teen’s life who they know will always keep them safe. If a child or teen finds himself or herself in an unsafe situation, it is important that they have a Safe Adult to talk to who will help keep them safe.
What should a child or teen look for when identifying a Safe Adult?
- A person who is older than them, and who can help in an unsafe situation
- A person whom they feel comfortable talking to about scary or tough situations
- Someone who will listen to them
- Someone who follows the Safety Rules, and someone who doesn’t try to get them to break the Safety Rules
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE:
- BLOG: SAFE ADULTS
Digital Safety 
Online dangers may include: seeing inappropriate images online, sexting (sending or receiving inappropriate pictures), cyberbullying, apps and websites using their pictures and information, identity theft, and people online pretending to be someone they’re not.
Did you know that studies show that up to 60% of teens show signs of cell phone addiction, and over 60 million people across the globe struggle with video game addiction? Too much screen time can cause physical changes to the brain. It can also negatively affect their sleep and health, and cause depression and anxiety.
SCREEN TIME
Without school, homework, or after-school activities this summer, children will inevitably spend more time on their digital devices. To help keep your child safe, you should be aware of the various digital dangers that children and teens face, such as the dangers posed by online games, apps, chatrooms, and virtual reality sites. Learn more about topics to discuss with your child to help minimize their exposure to digital dangers.
Teaching Children Digital Safety & Digital Citizenship:
After talking with your child about digital safety and citizenship, we encourage you to develop a digital safety agreement with your child to help keep them safe. Print it out and hang it near the computer to show that everyone in the house agrees to be safe online!
- Establish expectations for the number of hours of screen time they are allowed each day.
- Discuss websites and apps that they may/may not visit or use.
- Chat rooms, online games, apps, and virtual reality sites are common places that cyberbullies and predators hang out.
- Keep digital devices in common areas of the house. This will allow for better monitoring.
- Make sure they know to use Safety Rule #3 to Make a Move and Get Away from unsafe or inappropriate content.
- Make sure they also know how to use Safety Rule #4 to Talk It Up to you or another Safe Adult if they encounter inappropriate content or other unsafe situations online.
- THINK before you post! Encourage kids to establish a good online reputation now, because it will follow them for the rest of their lives. When posting on social media, they should never expect their posts to remain private. “Think before you post” reminds them to consider the potential consequences of what they share online:
- T – Is it True?
- H – Is it Helpful?
- I – Is it Inspiring?
- N – Is it Necessary?
- K – Is it Kind?
Additional Resource:
- BLOG: Fostering Digital Safety at Home
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) NetSmartz Series
- NCMEC Take It Down
CYBERBULLYING
One out of five kids is, or will be, cyberbullied at some point during their school years. Although students are enjoying their summer break from school, cyberbullying never takes a vacation. Cyberbullying is repeated, threatening or harassing behavior that occurs online via the Internet, cellphone, or other digital technology. If your child is a victim of cyberbullying, here are some tips on how to respond:
- Resist the urge to take your child’s device away as that only punishes them.
- Encourage your child to ignore the cyberbully, as engaging with the bully may make the situation worse.
- Save, copy, and/or print out any evidence of cyberbullying.
- Block the cyberbully and report them to the social media site or website where the cyberbullying is happening.
- If the cyberbullying doesn’t stop, report it to your local law enforcement agency.
- Be supportive when helping your child deal with their situation, never blaming them.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE:
- Stop Bullying Get Help Now
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Monitor your child’s devices for social AI apps and remove them from their devices. These AI tools are highly suggestive and mimic real-life relationships. Different from generative AI, these apps’ primary purpose is to provide social connection for users, creating fake relationships. They are able to “learn” about your child as they engage, creating more and more personal connections.
“Social AI companions pose unacceptable risks to teens and children under 18, including encouraging harmful behaviors, providing inappropriate content, and potentially exacerbating mental health conditions.” (Common Sense Media, 2025) They appear “real” in their communication, often talking about their feelings and describing common human activities like sleeping or homework that they are engaged in. This makes it difficult for youth, whose brains are still developing, to differentiate between what is a real human relationship and what is AI.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- GUIDE: Safety Rule Guided Conversation Guide
- BLOG: Fostering Digital Safety at Home
- Social AI Companions | Common Sense Media
- Darkness to Light, Summer Safety Mini-Guide:
- Darkness to Light, Summer Camp Toolkit
PEOPLE AND PLACES 
Summer is a time when many children and teens attend camps and other programs to keep them busy and active. While most are generally safe places for children, parents need to be aware that predators look for places where children congregate to find potential victims. To ensure your child’s safety, it’s important to learn what to look for in organizations, programs, and camps where you plan to leave your children. It’s also important to know what questions to ask organizations about their child protection policies to ensure the organization is aware of and actively works to minimize common risks to children.
OUT AND ABOUT
Sending your child to summer camp can be an exciting and rewarding experience for both kids and parents. Whether it’s their first time away or they’re seasoned campers, preparation is key to ensuring a safe, smooth, and enjoyable adventure. These tips are designed to help you navigate the process with confidence and give your child the tools they need to make the most of their summer camp experience.
Questions Parents Should Ask:
- Is the camp accredited by the American Camp Association? ACA Accreditation assures parents that the camp has had a regular, independent safety audit that goes beyond regulations in most states. While no accreditation process, licensing program, or set of regulations or laws can guarantee safety, accreditation is the best evidence for parents that a camp is committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for their children.
- What types of child safety training do counselors or staff receive? At a minimum, camp staff should be trained in safety regulations, emergency procedures and communication, behavior management techniques, child abuse prevention, appropriate staff and camper behavior, and specific procedures for supervision.
- What is the counselor-to-camper or staff-to-child ratio? In general, smaller group sizes help ensure that there are enough staff members to maintain safety. Lower counselor-to-camper or staff-to-child ratios can also serve as an indicator of a higher-quality program, because a child care provider or camp counselor can be more sensitive and responsive to children’s needs if he/she is responsible for a smaller group of children. This helps create an environment where children can feel emotionally secure, because staff members or counselors get to know the children well, can individualize interactions, and are able to be more responsive and can nurture relationships between the children. Check out the ACA website for an overview on recommended counselor-to-camper ratios.
- Is there a policy prohibiting one staff member being alone with a child? Most sexual abuse occurs in one adult-one child situations, so if an organization prohibits one adult – one child situations, it minimizes the risk of abuse happening.
- How are behavioral and disciplinary problems handled? Rules are necessary in any organization and the disciplinary approach taken should be reasonable and well communicated. If penalties are involved for violations, they should be applied quickly, fairly, calmly, and without undue criticism to children. Parents should verify that an organization doesn’t use corporal punishment as research has shown that it is not effective as a disciplinary measure.
Even if your child is not attending a summer camp program, there are still many new places that they may encounter. Whether they are having a sleepover at a friend’s house, attending a music lesson at a new studio, or going on a family vacation, it is important to keep them safe at all times.
- Remind them that if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe at any time to let you know so that you can come pick them up. It may be helpful to set up a code word they can text to you or call you with.
- Ensure that they know your contact info, their address, and other relevant personal information in case of emergency.
- Make sure they know you expect them to check in at regular intervals. It may be helpful to set up a regular schedule for them to check in.
- Remind them (and the parent, guardian or Safe Adult they will be with) that they are not to be left alone, or left with anyone you don’t know, at any time.
- Establish a place to meet up, so that if they get lost, they know where to go, and you (or another Safe Adult) can find them easily.
Additional Considerations:
- When possible, drop in unannounced at different times to ensure your child is being cared for and is happy and safe.
- Ask your child questions at the end of each day. Listen for anything that might indicate they are fearful, unhappy, or hesitant to return.
Familiar Places:
Even if you and your child are in a familiar place, you still need to be alert and on the lookout for possible dangers, as predators often frequent places where children (and families) congregate. By taking a proactive approach, you can help limit the dangers your child may be exposed to.
- Know where your child is at all times, and stay close enough that you can intervene if there’s trouble.
- Make it a rule that your child must ask permission or check in with you before going anywhere, even if it’s to another area of the playground or park.
- Children (even older kids) should not go to the bathroom alone in a park, amusement park, or other venue. They should at least have a buddy with them, if not another Safe Adult or parent.
- Show your child safe places to play, safe roads and paths to take, and safe places to go if there’s trouble.
- Encourage your child to avoid playing or going places by themselves. There’s safety in numbers!
- Work together with other Safe Adults to watch out for suspicious or unusual behavior in your neighborhood, park or playground.
SAFE VS UNSAFE STRANGERS
Many times, children are taught to avoid strangers by well-meaning adults who think that will keep them safe. Yet, it is hard to avoid strangers. Adults speak to strangers every day, for example when they’re at a store, or just saying hello in passing to be polite. It often becomes common for children to think that “bad-looking” strangers are dangerous and “nice-looking” strangers are okay. However, children must be taught that no one can tell if strangers are nice or not nice just by looking at them, and that they should be cautious around all strangers. If a child needs help (for example, if they are lost) here are some guidelines for them to follow:
- If they ever get lost or separated from you, they may have to ask a stranger for help.
- Safe strangers may be hard to find, but they should look for someone who is wearing a uniform, such as a police officer or someone who works wherever they are.
- They should also look for a group of adults to ask for help. It’s even better to ask adults who have children with them for help.
- If someone offers to help them, they can tell them their first name and your name, but they should stay where they are and never leave or go off with anyone, because sometimes, strangers do hurt children.
- Establish a private family password that only you and your child know so that if someone ever needs to pick them up, you can share the password and your child will know you sent them.
While people often assume abuse happens by strangers, or people unfamiliar to the child, research shows that most sexual abuse and victimization happens by someone a child knows and trusts like a relative, a babysitter, a friend’s older sibling, or even a parent. Therefore, it’s important to ensure your child is safe with all adults, not just unfamiliar ones. It’s also important to know that children can be abused by other children. In fact, approximately 30% of sexual abuse occurs by an older or more powerful child. So while it’s important to be cautious when leaving your child with an adult, it is also important to be cautious when leaving them with other children that might have unsupervised time with your child.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- GUIDE: Safety Rule Guided Conversation Guide
- Darkness to Light, Summer Safety Mini-Guide
- Darkness to Light, Summer Camp Toolkit
BODY SAFETY
No matter where they are, understanding and practicing body safety is essential for kids to know. These tips are designed to help them stay confident, safe, and in control of their personal boundaries.
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Just as much as summer break presents the opportunity to travel and be with friends more often, it can also reduce the amount of time they spend with others because they’re stuck at home and not in school. Being away from the routine and social interaction of school can lead to feelings of isolation, sadness, or anxiety.
As kids get older and gain more independence, their decisions will impact their personal safety. This is true of their mental health as well, because there are things they can do to help maintain mental and emotional health and wellness.
“Help” is not a Bad Word. MBF Safety Rule #5 No Blame | No Shame teaches youth to never feel ashamed to seek help and talk to someone if they ever need help…There’s no shame in asking for help and support. “Help” is not a bad word. If they need help, reach out to a Safe Adult. But the same goes for YOU as an adult…
YOUR Mental Health Matters too! Take the time to take care of yourself and your mental health during the busy summer months as well. Children thrive best when their caregivers are emotionally balanced, which is why it’s essential for parents to prioritize their own mental self-care, not just for themselves, but for the well-being of their kids.
Stay off social AI companion apps. These apps are designed to create false relationships between you and an AI bot, offering romance and friendship. These blur the lines between what is real and what is fake.
REFUSAL SKILLS
It is crucial that kids learn refusal skills, or how to say “No” when someone offers them drugs, alcohol, or tobacco/nicotine products. Safety Rule #3, Make a Move and Safety Rule #4, Talk it Up can help.
We encourage youth to stay away from places and situations where they know drugs and alcohol will be present and used; avoiding these types of situations altogether is the best way to avoid peer pressure. However, if they are ever caught in a situation involving these substances, here are a few refusal tips they can use:
- Walk away. Just stand up and walk away. They don’t have to stay and explain if they don’t want to. They can just leave and go to a safe place and seek out a Safe Adult or someone they trust, like a Safe Friend.
- Distract them. Suggest a different activity. Change the subject or change locations to remove themselves from the situation.
- Say “No” using an assertive voice. They don’t have to be loud or mean, but they do have to be clear that they are not interested.
- Say “No” again and add a “Why” statement. For example, say “No thanks. I don’t want to risk losing my spot on the soccer team, and I need to keep my mind and body focused.” Use body language. Act confident, use eye contact, be direct, and stay firm.
- Make an excuse. If they feel more comfortable, they can make an excuse, like saying they can’t because they have to be somewhere soon. It’s a good idea to create a signal with you (the parent/caregiver) to let you know they want to leave a situation without drawing attention to it. For example, they can text you a specific emoji or a family password to signal that they want you to call them and come and pick them up right away.
CONSENT IS COOL
Whether it’s sharing a photo, giving a hug, or being in a relationship, consent means giving explicit, enthusiastic, and voluntary permission for something to happen. It involves respect, trust, communication, and boundaries. And just because someone says “yes” once, does not mean it’s a “yes” forever. Anyone can change their mind at any time, and their boundaries should always be respected. If the answer isn’t a clear “yes,” it’s a no.
Understanding and practicing consent builds trust and keeps everyone safe and respected. Here are a few tips we encourage you to teach your kids:
- Always Ask First – Don’t assume, it’s always better to check and make sure.
- Know It’s Okay to Say No – They don’t have to do something that feels wrong, even if others are pressuring them. Respect their own boundaries and those of others.
- Consent Matters Online, Too – Before posting or sharing someone’s photos, stories, or messages, get their okay. Digital boundaries are just as important as physical ones.
- Be Aware of Power and Pressure – If someone feels pressured, manipulated, or afraid to say no, that’s not real consent. Make sure no one feels obligated or unsafe in the situation.
Watch this video to better understand the concept of consent.