Social Media

Social Media

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Why Should I Talk with my Child about Social Media?

Regular conversations are important because social media can impact their mental health
It is best to have a conversation about the apps on their phones or the websites they visit before a problem occurs
Young people are often exposed to new platforms before they are well known. This means that you may not be aware of a platform your child is using unless you talk to them

Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media

Advantages include:

Connection- the chance to connect with others
Developing interests- finding people that like the same things they do or feel the way they do.

Disadvantages and risks include:

Cyberbullying- bullying online can happen to children, or they can be responsible for doing it to others
Depression- the comparisons and standards that are shown on social media can increase negative thoughts
Meeting strangers- children might know to be cautious of strangers in person, but they might not online

How do I Talk about Social Media Usage?

Set the tone. Begin your talk in a calm, neutral, nonjudgmental way
Ask before you tell. Ask your child what apps or platforms they’re using. Let them teach you how they work
Lead by example. Talk to your child about how you use social media in a healthy way, and let your child know that they can come to you with any questions or concerns
Stay calm. If you find out your child has been engaging in behavior you don’t approve of, stay calm and let them know you appreciate them telling you
Talk about permanence and privacy. Let them know that what’s posted online is permanent. Then go through the platform’s privacy settings to make sure their information and activity is secure
Describe positive and negative online behaviour. It’s healthy to speak nicely to others online, in a similar way that you’d speak to them in person

What Ground Rules Should I Make?

It is recommended that social media rules be decided on as a family
If children are part of the decision-making, they are more likely to follow the rules
Here are some examples of ground rules:
Parents have full access to a child’s phone, including all apps and passwords
Only letting people “follow” or “friend” your child if you know them
Never giving out personal information
Allowing parents full access to the phone a few times a week
Shutting the phone off at a certain time each night

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