Do you remember Amanda Todd? The fifteen-year-old was relentlessly cyberbullied in 2012 and tragically took her own life. Her death put a spotlight on how vulnerable teens are to online predators. Today, cybersecurity is a critical skill for everyone. This goes twofold for autistic teens who may face unique challenges online. Many autistic teenagers have an interest in technology but may also struggle with recognizing online threats, social manipulation, and privacy concerns. At Monarch House, we can help by reviewing cybersecurity with your teen and making sure that they are taking necessary precautions online.  

Here are ten practical ways to help teens with autism in Markham stay safe online.

1. Teach Password Security

Whatever you do, tell your child not to use the word “password” as their password. That’s a far too common mistake. You need to stay one step ahead of hackers and a strong password is the first line of defence against cyber threats. Talk to your teen about using complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. If you want to keep track of their login information without the stress of memorization, a password manager can help.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Here is a list of some of the best authenticator apps of 2025. By definition, two-factor authentication is how you add an extra layer of security, by requiring a second verification step, such as a code sent to a phone. This makes it much harder for hackers to access accounts, even if passwords are compromised. Nowadays, the authentication code that is sent to your phone or email is automatically put into your verification step, so it’s a lot easier to work with 2FA. 

3. Recognize Phishing Scams

Sometimes people with neurodivergence take everything that is said to them at face value. This can be dangerous when it comes to having predators online. Teens with autism may struggle with interpreting deceptive messages. So it’s important to help your child be a little bit more on guard. At Monarch House, we can work with your child to teach them to identify phishing attempts by looking for suspicious links, urgent language, and unfamiliar senders. We can encourage them to verify emails and messages with a trusted adult before clicking links or sharing information.

4. Set Social Media Boundaries

The rules of engagement in the digital sphere are different than those in real life. It’s not uncommon for teens with autism to enjoy online communities. However, oversharing personal details, which sometimes happens, can lead to significant risks. At Monarch House, we can help to guide your child in setting strict privacy settings and understanding what information should remain private. We ask that parents and caregivers regularly review their social media activity together to ensure they are engaging safely.

5. Use Parental Controls And Monitoring Tools

Many platforms and devices have built-in precautions against cyberbullying and cyberthreats that you simply have to activate and make into a habit. For instance, on an iPhone, Parental Controls can help filter inappropriate content and monitor online interactions. At Monarch House, we can help you and your child choose tools that allow oversight without being intrusive. It helps if we work together to involve your teen in the process, to help them understand why these measures are in place. Here is a list of some of the best parental control software available. 

6. Educate About Online Friendships

Not having to worry about constant eye contact or any of the physical dynamics of meeting someone in real life make online communities alluring. Many teens with autism simply find it easier to connect with others online. However, they may have difficulty recognizing when someone is being dishonest. At Monarch House, we can teach them to be cautious about sharing personal details and to avoid meeting online friends in person without parental supervision.

7. Limit Public Wi-Fi Use

Most people, adults and children alike, are way too trusting of insecure networks that they find in malls or while walking down the street. Free Wi-Fi is never to be used without some suspicion. Even in restaurants and other establishments, public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured, making them vulnerable to hackers. At Monarch House, when we review cybersecurity basics, we can encourage teens with autism to avoid logging into important accounts when using public networks. A virtual private network (VPN) can provide extra security if they frequently use public Wi-Fi. Here is a list of the top VPNs to use in Canada in 2025. 

8. Recognize And Respond To Cyberbullying

Amanda Todd was a tragic case of how a teen can be living in a personal hell without the parents being aware that there is anything going on. Always be on the lookout that something might be amiss with your teen. Talk to them regularly about what is happening with them online. Cyberbullying can be especially distressing for teens with autism. Teach them how to recognize cyberbullying, block harmful users, and report incidents to a trusted adult. Providing a safe space to discuss online interactions can help them feel more secure.

9. Encourage Critical Thinking About Online Content

Some cybercriminals target those with neurodivergence. So it’s important to be on guard at all times. Teens with autism may take information literally, making them more susceptible to misinformation. At Monarch House, we can teach them how to verify sources, cross-check facts, and recognize unreliable websites to avoid scams and false information.

10. Regularly Discuss Online Safety

Set aside some time each week to talk about what your child is doing online, get a little show and tell, change some passwords, and look into the Screen Time and parental controls to make sure nothing unusual is going on. Cybersecurity is an ongoing conversation. Ask your teen about their online experiences, new apps they use, and any concerns they have. At Monarch House, we can also review cybersecurity with your teen to help reinforce safe habits and keep them comfortable seeking help when needed. Here is a cybersecurity checklist of 57 things that you can do with your teen to ensure that they are not vulnerable while on the internet. 

You want to know that your child is safe when they are online. You can’t be with them every second of the day when they are on the internet, so it’s necessary to take other measures. At Monarch House we have a professional, interdisciplinary staff of occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, psychotherapists, and speech pathologists that are here to help you establish online routines and best practices. By implementing these cybersecurity measures, teens with autism in Markham can navigate the digital world more safely and confidently. With the right guidance and tools, they can enjoy the benefits of technology while minimizing risks.