Raising children can be a stressful business. Do they feel loved? Are they eating enough? What time should they go to bed? Which school should they attend? How do I get them to listen and which method of discipline is the most effective, without scarring them for life? Every generation of parents have asked similar questions, but for this generation there is the added burden of how to navigate the pitfalls and snares of social media. While social media has many great uses it can be harmful and unsafe for adults and teens alike. It may feel like the easiest route is to avoid and ban the use of social media until your teens are in their 40’s but a more sensible and well-rounded response is to teach your kids how to enjoy and use these platforms in an appropriate and safe way.
Here are a few tips about using social media wisely:
Have an appropriate age limit:
It seems like everyone has a smart phone these days including young children but allowing kids access to social media just because they have the correct phone is reckless. Facebook has a minimum age restriction of 13 years of age. The content of the ads and posts by other uses backs up the need for this measure. Don’t feel the need to conform to the standard set by the platforms though. If you feel 13 is too young, so be it. Decide what age you feel is appropriate and stick to it.
Keep things in the open:
Yes teens need their privacy but social media is anything but private. It’s sensible to keep social media access limited to family computers that are in common areas rather than on PC’s or smartphones that used in bedrooms or isolated areas. Easier to keep an eye on what’s going on if everything is kept out in the open rather than behind closed doors.
Be friends:
If you decide that your kids are allowed to have a social media account make sure you follow them and are friends. This may mean setting up your own account on platforms that you would never normally consider using but you wouldn’t allow your child to go out without telling you where they are going to be so why shouldn’t you know where they are going online?
Set boundaries:
Boundaries are necessary in all areas of life and the Internet and social media are no exception. It’s wise to limit the amount of time spent online and also have some guidelines or rules that apply to social media usage. As with all rules, these need to be adhered too and carry some consequences if broken.
Get up to speed:
Technology can be confusing but if you are allowing your child to enter the online world it’s helpful for you to know a bit about privacy and security settings. Do a bit of research and make sure that the settings on your teens accounts are as they should be and keeping your child as secure as possible.
Keep communicating:
Communication is always the key. Talk about the dangers of social media and the possible consequences of unwise posts. Discuss cyber bullying and what is appropriate or inappropriate to share on social platforms. There are many potential ‘danger areas’ in social media and it’s important that your child is aware of these hazards. An open discussion rather than a parental lecture is the best way to address some of these issues but this isn’t a once off chat it needs to be an ongoing conversation.