Tech Tip # 5 Bark
Tip # 5
TECH TIP TUESDAYS!
Every Tuesday, we’re breaking down quick, helpful info about all things tech—because let’s face it, the internet isn’t always easy to understand.
Today’s tech tip:
Why BARK MATTERS MORE THAN EVER
Let’s go! 👇
KEEP KIDS SAFER ONLINE
Kids today are stepping into the online world earlier than ever — and many are facing things they never talk about.
BY OLIVIA WELLS, LIGTEL MARKETER
I’ve been thinking about something lately, not just as a mom to a teenager, but as someone who spent years working in upper elementary and middle school.
Those are the years when kids start getting phones, exploring apps, and dipping their toes into a world that looks nothing like the one we grew up with, even compared to just ten years ago.
And here’s something I saw over and over at that age:
Kids are smart. Kids are social. But kids are also vulnerable in ways they don’t always recognize.
They’re exposed to more, sooner, and with fewer guardrails.
I remember students who would come to me with things they’d seen online, or messages that made them uncomfortable, and they’d whisper things like, “Please don’t tell my parents… I don’t want to get in trouble.”
Not because they didn’t trust their parents, but because they were scared, embarrassed, or unsure how serious something really was.
And that’s exactly the age group Indiana State Police have been talking about on the radio lately. Sextortion and online threats are rising fast, and most kids don’t even say a word. Suffering in silence.
The numbers make it even clearer:
- 64% of kids have social media by age 13
- Kids 8–18 average 7.5 hours online every day
- 77% of teens experience cyberbullying
- Only 10% ever tell an adult
As a former teacher, I felt this gap.
As a mom, it hits me differently.
And as someone who works at LigTel now, I’m proud that we can offer something that helps bridge that gap without hovering or invading privacy.
Bark is designed exactly for that.
-It quietly monitors for serious issues.
-Predatory messages
-Explicit content
-Sextortion attempts
-Bullying
-Threats
-Depression or self-harm
Parents get a nudge when something needs attention. Kids still get their space.
And that balance is what makes me feel good recommending it.
Bark is available as an add-on for $13 a month, or it’s included if you’re in our Connected Home plan.
If you want to talk through it, learn more, or just want a safe place to ask questions about online safety, we’re always here. And the best part is, you don’t even have to be a LigTel customer. That’s how strongly we believe in what Bark can do for families.
We can’t control everything our kids see online, but we can give them support, protection, and someone in their corner. That’s what matters most.