Six Ways to Protect Your LGBTQ Teen From Online Hate Without Taking Their Phone

Give yourself the gift of empowerment What do you do when you can’t stop your LGBTQ child from seeing online hate, and you shouldn’t try? Online cruelty and dehumanization get louder in the weeks before an election, and our kids are in the middle of it. Heather explains what’s driving the harshness in their feeds, including who is paying for some of it. She walks through six ways to build resilience without surveillance or confiscating phones. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Understand why your child’s feed is likely to get harsher before the election and what’s behind it Have real, age appropriate conversations about what they’re seeing without resorting to surveillance or taking their phone Help your child find at least one safe online space, and where to start looking Press play to learn six practical ways to help your LGBTQ child take care of themselves online. If you or your child needs support right now, the Trevor Project is available at 1-866-488-7386 or by texting START to 678-678. The TrevorSpace Allsides.com Hi, I’m Heather Hester, and I’m so glad you’re here! Feeling uncertain or overwhelmed? Stay informed - visit my website Join the Conversation on Substack Read my book, Parenting with Pride. Support the Show - Learn more here! Watch on YouTube Listen * Share * Review *NEW* episodes every Tuesday and Friday! This is a place to feel messy while you're figuring it out. At the heart of my work is a deep commitment to compassion, authenticity, and transformative allyship, especially for those navigating the complexities of parenting LGBTQ kids. Through this podcast, speaking, my writing, and the spaces I create, I help people unlearn bias, embrace their full humanity, and grow their capacity for courageous connection. For parents, allies, and those pioneering a way to lead with love and kindness, I’m here with true, messy, and heartwarming stories, real tools, and grounding support to help you move from fear to fierce, informed action. Whether you’re listening in, working with me directly, or quietly taking it all in, I see you. And I’m so glad you’re on this journey with me.