Social Media

Social media offers children a huge opportunity, but it also has potential risk. If your child does have access to social media, then we take a look at how you can help keep them safe.

Chat Regularly

Talk to your child about how they are using social media and ask them who are their friends online, just like you would in the real world. Keep communication open and don't dismiss or judge them. Be interested in what they are doing online but you don't have to quiz them every time, keep the conversation casual. Let them know they can always talk to you if they see something they are not comfortable with or they are worried about something and reassure them that you won't be angry.

Lead by Example

Be open and show your child how you use social media and the internet and what you like about it. It is also a good idea to talk about how images are portrayed online, showing a person's 'best' side rather than a realistic look at their life. If you use social media yourself then show what you put online, but also show them images on your phone that you choose not to share, these could be photos showing a messy house or you're pulling a funny face. Talk to your child about the differences between a social media life and a real life.

Also, if you find your child is using their phone or online more than you would like, make sure you aren't doing the same as it is amazing how much they imitate those around them, even as they get older.

Set Boundaries

If your child hasn't used social media before, then this is an ideal time to set some boundaries, so they know what is expected of them. Be realistic and also honest, if you don't want them using social media or a certain app, then be clear so they understand the reasons why and try not to get angry or upset if they do. Set some clear rules and also a good idea maybe a contract that you both sign, this way you have something to go back to if they do go against the rules. Also be clear about when and how long they can be online for, its best to have these rules in place from the very beginning.

Keep Personal Information Private

I'm sure this will have been covered several times throughout their school life, but it is also worth discussing with your child. Help your teen to understand what is meant by personal information and why they need to be wary about sharing this sort of information. Talk to them about sharing photos of themselves online and explain that those details do not disappear after time, they are always accessible.

Also talk to them about online strangers and although they may talk to these people online, if you allow them, then it doesn't necessarily mean they know them. Knowing someone online means you only know what they want you to know, not necessarily the 'real' them, which can be very different. It is also worth checking that both you and your child understand the different privacy settings on apps and websites so you all fully understand what information is shared or kept private amongst friends.

For more information on staying safe online and social media then take a look at Young Minds.

Source:

Young Minds