Hello Reader,

Can you believe it? School’s almost out, (for many of you, it already is).
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And if your house is anything like most, that means later nights, looser routines, and a whole lot more screen time.

But here’s the thing most parents don’t realize until it’s too late: porn exposure skyrockets in the summer. No school means more freedom—and more time online facing digital threats like pornography and predators. Yikes.

That’s why I’m jumping into your inbox today to share three simple steps to help your kids stay safer online all summer long. It’s a triple defense system.

✅ 1. Get the facts

The first step is to know the digital threats your kids are up against. Let’s be real: the online world is always changing. And if you’re feeling a little behind, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t have to spend a dime to catch up.

Here are some of my go-to free resources:

• ​Dr. Justin Rowberry’s digital wellness videos: Dr. Justin Rowberry, a Yale educated Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician, has dedicated his expertise to helping families establish healthy relationships with digital technology.
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  Through a series of five enlightening videos called Great Tool, Horrible Master: Helping Families Establish Healthy Relationships With Digital Technology, Dr. Rowberry shares valuable insights and practical strategies to empower families in their digital journey.
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• ​Utah Coalition Against Pornography (UCAP) video library: UCAP is dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening families, and uniting organizations in the fight against pornography through education and collaboration. Their extensive video library features over 50 on-demand presentations from experts in mental health, digital safety, and parenting, offering valuable strategies to protect your child online.
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• ​Defend Young Mind’s library of free articles: Our own website is filled with up-to-date insights, tips, and research-backed strategies to keep your kids safer. A great starting point is our popular article: Today’s Porn Industry: 5 Things Every Parent Needs to Know.

It’s kind of amazing—in a world full of pricey subscriptions and digital courses, these trusted voices are showing up for parents like us. ❤️

🛡️ 2. Arm your kids

Now that you know what your kids are up against, the next step is to give them tools to defend themselves—not just filters and rules, but internal strength they can carry with them.

Here are two of the most powerful tools I recommend (and use with my own grandkids!).

• ​Good Pictures Bad Pictures: These Amazon bestselling read-aloud books have helped hundreds of families talk about pornography in a way that’s age-appropriate, shame-free, and actually sticks. Whether your child is 4 or 11, there’s a version that fits:
  • ​Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr.: A Simple Plan to Protect Young Minds for kids ages 3-7. Simple language. Big impact.
  • ​Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today’s Young Kids Ideal for ages 7–12. Gives kids a clear, science-backed plan to recognize, reject, and report pornography.

• ​Body safety books: Did you know that teaching kids about body safety is one of the most effective ways to protect them from abuse? When children understand personal boundaries, recognize inappropriate behaviors, and know who to go to for help, they are far less vulnerable to harm
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  We’ve rounded up our favorite body safety books from trusted authors who get how to talk to kids without overwhelming them. You can see the list here.

These tools aren’t just storybooks—they’re conversation starters, confidence builders, and protective armor your child will carry for years to come.

💬 3. Continue the conversation

We’ve all had the “one big talk” about the birds and the bees—but when it comes to digital safety, ongoing conversations are where the magic happens.

The trick? Knowing what to say and when to say it. Here are some tools to help:

• ​Brain Defense: Digital Safety: Your kids learn from cool, older teens called the Brain Gang how to build digital defense skills with short video-based lessons, engaging workbooks, and role plays.

• How to Talk to Kids About Pornography: If you’ve been putting this off, this free guide will boost your confidence (and lower your stress).
• ​Digital Safety Planner: Think of it like a summer roadmap for tech and screen use. Free!

One last thought…

No one can be a perfect parent—but with the right tools, you can be a prepared parent.

So as the school year winds down and summer winds up, take a moment to put our triple defense plan in place. Your kids are worth it.

Kindly,
​
Kristen

P.S. Looking for ways to keep your kids busy without a screen?

Grab our FREE PDF featuring 100 activities to do with your kids this summer. You can download it HERE.

This list features fun activities you can do with your kids including:

• entertaining home-based activities,
• fun backyard adventures,
• enjoyable around town fun, and
• distant explorations.

Your kids will love activities like #7, a cooking competition, and #38, creating a family time capsule to bury in the yard. Print it out today, put it on your fridge, and make memories all summer long.

P.P.S. Share our resources with a friend! Pass along this flyer with all our resources in one place. Download a PDF version here.