By: Misty Barron
Social media is an integral part of our daily lives, especially for teenagers. Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok provide a way for young people to connect with friends, express themselves creatively, and explore new interests. However, excessive social media use can have negative effects on a teenager’s mental health, academic performance, and even their safety. Therefore, it is important for parents to monitor their teenager’s social media use and guide them on responsible usage.
As a mom, I understand how impossible the task of keeping your kids safe online might feel. There are many great sites with tons of advice and it’s hard to sort through them all. Here are some of the most common ways you can manage teenage social media use:
- Age Appropriate: The Cleveland Clinic reported that half of children 10-12 years old use social media. To ensure the safety of their children and minimize the negative impacts of social media, parents should consider prohibiting their use of social media until they reach the age of 13. After that, they can gradually introduce them to different platforms, making it easier to monitor their activities.
- Open Communication: Once your teenager starts using social media, it becomes your responsibility to initiate an open conversation. Encourage your teenager to maintain a positive online presence by being respectful and appropriate in their posts.
- Privacy and Safety: It’s important to explain to your teens which types of content are acceptable to share, and which are not. Give specific examples of actions that can compromise their privacy. Try asking questions like, “Have you ever told someone you only know online what school you go to?” Explain to them the dangers of sharing information like their full name, address, and passwords with strangers.
- Monitor Online Behavior: Monitor your teen’s online behavior to ensure they are not engaging in risky or inappropriate activities. Check their social media accounts and keep an eye on their online friends. By doing so, you can identify any red flags early on and take steps to address them before they become more serious issues.
- Home Computers: Limiting your child’s access to social media through computers is an effective method to monitor their online activity. Smartphones can provide more access to social media accounts like Snapchat, making it difficult to keep track of what your child is doing online. Restricting social media usage to computers gives you control over which accounts your child is using and you can monitor their activity more easily on a family computer.
- Lead by Example: You can also lead by example by demonstrating responsible social media use yourself. Avoid excessive use of social media, don’t engage in negative behavior such as cyberbullying, and show respect for others online. By modeling responsible behavior, you can teach your teen the importance of using social media correctly.
- Be A Presence: Create social media accounts and remain connected with your teenagers online. Follow some of the same accounts and groups as your child to gain insight into the type of content they are regularly exposed to.
- Teach Digital Literacy: Discussing online safety and the potential risks of social media can help your teen develop the skills they need to navigate the online world responsibly. This can include teaching them about privacy settings, how to recognize and report cyberbullying, and how to verify the accuracy of online information.
It’s important to note that excessive monitoring can lead to a breakdown in trust between parents and teenagers. Your teen may feel like their privacy is being invaded, which fosters resentment and rebellion. It’s important you find a line between monitoring and giving them space to grow and learn. By having the right balance between tracking and trust, you can empower your child to use social media in a healthy and positive way.
