Parenting Perspective 

Discuss the Situation Calmly 

If your child talks to strangers online, it is important to address the situation immediately and ensure they understand the potential risks involved. You can start by calmly discussing what happened and asking your child about the conversation. For example, you could say, ‘Can you tell me who you were talking to online? What did you discuss?’ By understanding the situation, you can guide your child towards making better choices in the future. 

Explain the Dangers 

Explain to your child the dangers of talking to strangers online. Make sure they understand that not everyone online is who they claim to be, and that some people might try to deceive or manipulate them. You can say, ‘People on the internet can pretend to be someone they are not. It is important never to talk to strangers or to share personal information with anyone you do not know in real life.’ 

Set Clear Rules 

Set clear rules for your child about online communication, such as not talking to strangers and not sharing personal information like their full name, address, or school. Teach them to come to you if they encounter any situation where they feel uncomfortable, whether it is online or offline. You might say, ‘If anyone online makes you feel uncomfortable, it is important to tell me immediately, and we will figure it out together.’ This creates a safe space where your child knows they can trust you with their online experiences. 

Finally, consider using parental controls or monitoring tools to limit who your child can communicate with online. This will help to prevent them from engaging with strangers while also giving you peace of mind. 

Spiritual Insight 

In Islam, protecting ourselves from harm is a key principle, and this includes safeguarding our children from potential dangers. Allah Almighty reminds us in the noble Quran at Surah Al Maaidah (5), Verse 51: 

‘O you who are believers, do not adopt the Jews and Christians as your allies, as some of them are only but allies of each other; and whoever amongst you, takes them as allies, then indeed, he shall be from them….’ 

While this verse specifically addresses alliances, it highlights the broader principle of being cautious and discerning about who we trust, especially when it comes to personal interactions. 

The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also warned against interactions with people who may have ill intentions. It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 2378, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘A person is on the religion of his friend, so let one of you look at whom he takes as a friend.’ 

This Hadith serves as a reminder that who we interact with, online or offline, can have a significant impact on our lives. By teaching your child to avoid talking to strangers online, you are helping them to safeguard their well-being and to align with the values of caution and wisdom found in Islam.