The Glowbug Club

How to read together

1. Read one episode at a time. Each has six panels and takes about five minutes.
2. When Pixel turns yellow or red, pause and ask: "What would you do?"
3. Finish with the Glow Rule and the two "Talk about it" questions.
4. Do the "Try it" activity together, on your own devices if you can.
5. Younger readers can press "Read it to me" to hear the story out loud. Pick a voice and speed next to the button. Voices come from your device and browser; Microsoft Edge has the most natural-sounding ones.

The one rule that matters most

Kids tell us about problems online when they're sure they won't be punished for it. Many kids stay quiet because they're afraid of losing their tablet or game.

Say it out loud, and often: "You will never be in trouble for telling me." Then keep that promise, especially when what they tell you is upsetting.

Set things up together

• Turn on parental controls and require approval for downloads and purchases.
• Set accounts to private and turn off location sharing in apps and photos.
• Use long passphrases and turn on two-step login for accounts that offer it.
• Agree on family rules: which apps, who counts as a friend, and when screens go to bed.
• Keep devices charging outside bedrooms at night.