Kids nowadays are growing up in a technologically advanced environment. As a parent, you want to protect them, but also empower them to make healthy choices for themselves. Fortunately, teaching your kids to appropriate social media habits now can help them handle it later in life. Continue reading for advice on teaching your tweens or adolescents to use social media responsibly and safely!

Limit screen time.

Set time limits and media-free zones early on to help your kids maintain a healthy balance. If you have an older child, reduce screen time gradually. Less time on social media equals more time with friends, family, and nature. Social media has certain benefits, but it’s vital to balance screen time with exercise.

Dr. Lusk advises parents to replace screen time with other activities to promote a balanced existence. “Cooking together or going on a family walk at night are basic real-time activities. Or you may urge your child to join a new extracurricular activity that allows them to meet like-minded peers.”

 

Maintain communication.

Let your kids know they may talk to you about social media, online experiences, and any issues they have. Informed, you can lead and defend them. Remember that adolescent brains aren’t equipped to completely comprehend long-term Remind your kids that erased social media posts are never truly gone.

 

Set a good example.

Screens and social media entice even adults. To avoid social media issues, Dr. Lusk advises being aware of how much time you spend on it and what you post.

“Children are always evolving and searching for models of how to act,” Dr. Lusk stated. Limiting screen time is an excellent example for parents.

 

 

Note What You Share

It’s difficult to find reliable news and information sources nowadays. That’s why you should think twice before posting something online with your friends or followers. Consider if the article or video is beneficial or detrimental to others. Aim to produce knowledge worth sharing. It may not be worth posting on social media if it does not add value to the digital realm.

Unfollow Sick Accounts

It’s vital to remember that social media visuals and tales don’t always reflect reality. Whether you follow friends, influencers, corporations, or organizations, your social media feed is filtered. Consider this: Do you feel overwhelmed or inadequate by your feed? Don’t you ever compare your life to others? Is this true? If so, you need to make a change. Stop the negativity by unfollowing, blocking, or deleting profiles that don’t inspire you.

 

Encourage them to reassess their image.

Inappropriate photographs, mean-spirited remarks, and thoughtless language often go unnoticed by children. If you find something that worries you, ask them to look at it as an admissions counselor or hiring manager. Teach them that even if they erase anything afterward, it may be screenshotted and used against them later.
Talk to them about the hazards of sexting when they’re old enough. Let them be aware that, if their communications or images were leaked, they may face legal consequences if they were underage.