Catalyst

Informed Families Catalyst

7 Free Apps That Help Kids 10+ Stay Safe, Engaged & Off Risky Paths

Posted by Informed Families on June 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM

With summer in full swing and June being Online Safety Month, now is the perfect time to equip teens and tweens with tools that foster healthy digital habits and prevent risky behavior.

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1. Bark (Free version available)

What it does: Monitors social messages, emails, and 30+ apps for signs of cyberbullying, predators, or risky content.
Why it’s perfect: Balances teen privacy with safety—alerts parents only when needed.


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2. Skill Struck (Free student access options)

What it does: Teaches kids coding, problem-solving, and digital literacy through interactive challenges.
Why it’s great for prevention: Builds focus, confidence, and real-world tech skills that keep teens productive and off risky paths. Bonus: it encourages a growth mindset and career exploration.


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3. MyLife Meditation (Free version available)

What it does: Offers quick, age-tailored mindfulness practices based on teen moods.
Why it matters: Helps teens manage stress and strengthens emotional resilience.


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4. Common Sense Media

What it does: Delivers ratings and reviews of shows, apps, games, and influencers.
Why it’s helpful: Encourages thoughtful media choices and opens up healthy family conversations.


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5. FutureMe (Free)

What it does: Teens write letters to their future selves to foster reflection and purpose.
Why it’s relevant: Helps cultivate long-term thinking and self-awareness—key to prevention.


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6. Duolingo (Free)

What it does: Gamifies language learning with daily lessons and friendly competition.
Why it’s perfect: Keeps minds active and gives teens a meaningful summer goal.


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7. Forest (Free version available)

What it does: Blocks distractions and grows virtual trees when users focus offline.
Why teens love it: Turns digital detox into a fun, visual challenge.


Tie-In with Online Safety Month

Since June is Internet Safety Month, it's an ideal opportunity for families to engage in healthy digital routines:

  • Reinforce cyber hygiene habits: Encourage password strength, account security, and cautious clicking .

  • Lead by example: Show teens how you use devices responsibly.

  • Start the conversation: Share tips and safe habits throughout June—and keep it going all summer.


Final Thought

This summer, prevention isn't about restriction—it's about empowerment. By giving teens the right tools and awareness, families can turn June’s Online Safety Month into healthy, lifelong digital habits. Need these formatted for social or email? I’ve got you covered!

Topics: education, parent involvement, positive parenting, prevention, Informed Families, social media, drug prevention

About Us

We teach people how to say no to drugs and how to make healthy choices. To reduce the demand for drugs, Informed Families has focused its efforts on educating and mobilizing the community, parents and young people in order to change attitudes. In this way we counteract the pressures in society that condone and promote drug and alcohol use and abuse. The organization educates thousands of families annually about how to stay drug and alcohol free through networking and a variety of programs and services .

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