Unlike any other generation, our young children are growing up in a progressively technological and social media- focused time. It’s easier than ever to connect with family, friends and strangers at the tap of a finger and to do so from a very young age. We laugh at the video of a baby trying to “swipe” a magazine page, but it’s really a prime example of how our children will grow up with access to technology like we never had. To borrow my dad’s saying, “when I was growing up,” cell phones were only for emergencies and texting didn’t exist. We only had Myspace and not every house had the Internet. As a parent, only you can decide how much exposure your children will have to social media. But it goes without saying that they will start to partake in one type of media or another at some point in their formative years. That being said, here are some tips that every parent and child needs to know when stepping out into the digital age.
Source: skyther5/shutterstock.com
1. It’s OK To Wait
Just because your child knows how to navigate a cell phone, doesn’t mean they are ready for their own Facebook page. I have several friends who created Facebook profiles for their INFANT children! Not only do I question who has time to maintain a child’s social media page, but I wonder what kind of message that sends about how much they value sharing so much personal information from the start of a new life. Your child has to earn your trust in many ways, and having a social media account on any forum is a privilege. There are reasons that many social media forums have age restrictions, and you should have them too. We all grew up in our time without Twitter and Instagram. I’m sure your children can wait a few years until they are mature and responsible enough to handle it.
2. Don’t Become “Friends” With A Stranger
We teach our children not to talk to strangers in real life, but connecting with one from the comfort of their own home with the vast Internet between them seems safer. Sadly, we still hear regular reports on the news of teenagers who run off to meet strangers they befriended on social media- all without their parent’s knowledge. Even if they think it’s a fellow teenager acquaintance, it could be an adult posing as someone else. Predators are just as real and dangerous in the digital realm as they are in “real life,” and our children need to be just as careful by avoiding people they don’t know.
3. Parents Should Have Full Access
There should be no blocking, limited viewing or secret profiles in your home. You are paying for your child’s cell phone, tablet and computer in which they are most likely using to keep their accounts running. You also brought them into this world and have inherent parental rights to have access to their pages and feeds, because it’s your job to protect them. If you can’t view your child’s full page because they have changed their settings, then it’s time to talk about why they are blocking you and whether they are ready to have their own account.
4. Don’t Share Locations
With the acceptance of social media in our society, comes the natural desire to want to share everything, including where you are and whom you’re with. Whether it’s to “show off” when you’re out with cool people or something a little more innocent, your child is loudly broadcasting their whereabouts, which may involve being alone or without a parent. Depending on your child’s social media account settings, they could be opening themselves up to predators. Teach your kids about staying safe by not oversharing.
5. Don’t Hide Behind Your Device
One of the awful side effects of growing social media involvement is cyber bullying. It’s not ok for your kids to use their accounts to harass other people ever. You’ve probably been saying “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” for quite some time, and it applies to social media too. Be sure to monitor all types of social networking, not just typical sites like Facebook but other notable sites like Spring.me, a particularly dicey site that has received tons of criticism. No one is ever truly anonymous on the Internet, even if your kids create a “fake” account, and they should know they will be held accountable for things they say online.
6. Be Careful What You Post- It’s Never Private
You can be vert diligent about setting privacy settings, but all it takes is for one friend of your child’s to get upset and share something sensitive to someone else. In an instant, your once private post has gone viral. Be smart and teach your children to be careful about what they post, because once its out there, it’s out there forever. Angry rants, photos and links can follow you around for a long time. Don’t let their reputation get soiled before they’re out of their teens! Your kids should also be careful about how their posts will affect their friends. They should always get permission to post photos of friends first!
7. Use Privacy Settings
You can teach your child all the dangers of social media, but you should also use the built in features of sites as well. There are easy features that include who their information gets shared with, and who can view their profile by a simple search. If you are a user of social media yourself, you know how often there are updates, many of which relate to privacy settings. Be sure you check in often to update settings and make sure your child hasn’t altered them and end up sharing more than they should.
8. Have Time Limits and Take Breaks
Last you checked, you’re still the parent and you can set time limits on your kids’ usage of devices and social media. Maybe you alot time after dinner, or make a cut off time where all electronic usage stops at 5pm. Face to face communication with family and friends is more important than staying attached to a device. Don’t forget, this applies to you too! Be a good example by laying down your devices too, even if it does include work email. We’ve all taken breaks from social media and realize we are better because of it!
Karly Wood
Latest posts by Karly Wood (see all)
- 15 Wonderful White Kitchens - January 14, 2019
- We Want All These Spring Manis And We Want Them Now - January 8, 2019
- DIY Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Wreath - January 4, 2019
Related Images:
Karly Wood
Latest posts by Karly Wood (see all)
- 15 Wonderful White Kitchens - January 14, 2019
- We Want All These Spring Manis And We Want Them Now - January 8, 2019
- DIY Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Day Wreath - January 4, 2019
