Children are creating accounts younger than ever — gaming platforms, school tools, social media. Teaching them good password habits early builds a foundation that protects them for life. Here's how to make those conversations practical and stick.
Start with why, not rules
Rules without context don't stick. Before telling a child what to do, explain the problem in terms they understand. A good analogy: a password is like a house key. You wouldn't give your house key to a stranger, write it on the front door, or use the same key for every lock you own. Passwords work the same way.
Age-appropriate guidance
Ages 6–10: the basics
At this age, focus on three things: never share passwords (even with friends), tell a trusted adult if something feels wrong online, and use different passwords for different things. Let them watch you use a password manager so they see it's normal.
Ages 11–14: building good habits
Introduce passphrases — four random words are easy to remember and genuinely secure. Explain what phishing looks like: someone pretending to be a friend, game, or website to steal their login. Practice spotting fake login pages together.
Ages 15+: real security thinking
Introduce a password manager and let them set one up for their accounts. Talk about 2FA and enable it on their important accounts. Discuss what happens in data breaches and why password reuse is dangerous.
💡 Make it hands-on: Use our password checker together. Let them type weak passwords and see the score. Then generate a strong one and show the difference. Seeing it work is more memorable than any explanation.
What not to do
- Don't let them use their name, birthday, pet's name, or school name in passwords
- Don't let them share passwords with friends — even best friends
- Don't write passwords on sticky notes near the computer
- Don't use the same password for school accounts, gaming, and social media
Lead by example
Children model adult behaviour. If they see you using a password manager, taking 2FA seriously, and talking about online safety as a normal part of life — they will too. Make it a household habit, not a one-time lecture.
✅ This week's challenge: Sit down with your child, check one of their accounts on haveibeenpwned.com, help them change one weak password to a strong passphrase, and talk about what to do if someone asks for their password online.