Military Families
Online safety guidance for families with a parent in the armed forces, covering long-distance communication, social media OPSEC, and supporting children during deployment.
Families where a parent is deployed or serving away from home face a distinct set of digital safety considerations. Children may be using video calls and messaging apps more heavily than peers to stay connected with their deployed parent, and the emotional challenges of deployment can increase vulnerability to online risks. There are also specific security considerations around what children share on social media about military movements or base locations, known as operational security (OPSEC).
Why this matters
Children who are separated from a parent due to deployment may seek additional connection and validation online, making them more susceptible to manipulation by online predators. At the same time, well-meaning social media posts by children — sharing a parent's location, deployment dates, or unit details — can inadvertently create security risks.
Quick wins
Review your child's social media privacy settings and set all accounts to private
Time: 15 minutes
Have a brief age-appropriate conversation about not sharing details of a parent's deployment online
Time: 10 minutes
Set up a safe, dedicated video call app for communicating with a deployed parent
Time: 10 minutes
Common challenges
Children using video call and messaging apps heavily to stay in contact with a deployed parent
Set up safe, dedicated communication apps with appropriate privacy settings. Ensure children only use these apps to contact approved family members, and review contact lists regularly.
Operational security — children sharing sensitive information on social media
Have a straightforward, age-appropriate conversation about OPSEC: explain that some things about where Mum or Dad is, or when they are coming home, are private and should not be shared online. Frame it as keeping the whole family safe.
Emotional vulnerability during deployment affecting online behaviour
Monitor for signs that your child is seeking emotional support from unknown adults online. Maintain open conversations about how they are feeling, and make sure they know who to talk to if they are struggling.