Most teens use some form of social media and have social network profiles. Many visit these sites daily.
There are plenty of good things about social media, but plenty of risk that teens could avoid. They do not always make good choices when they are posting something on site, this could lead to many problems.
It is important as a parent to be able to talk to your teen about how to use social media wisely.
Social media can help teens:
- Stay connected with friends and family.
- Enhance their creativity by sharing ideas, music, and art.
- Meet and interact with others who share similar interests.
- Access health information.
- Keep them informed with current events.
The flip side is that social media can be a hub for potentially harmful or questionable activities.
Cyberbullying is considered as the most online risk for teens as they are harassed. It is linked to depression, loneliness in both the victims and the bullies could be in a position of committing suicide.
Kids should know more about privacy and safety as they share more than what they suppose to share online. Many post pictures of themselves, use their real birth names, reveal their birthdates, their interests and names of their schools and locations of where they live.
Revealing this type of information could make them easy targets to online predators.
Their pictures and comments usually can’t be taken back after they have been posted. Sometimes you may think a social media post is deleted but it cannot be completely deleted. One way or another someone can screenshot seconds after you have posted and it can still circulate.
Posting inappropriate pictures of yourself can cause problems for you years later. It could be a possible employer doing background check on you.
Social media can have negative mental health effects, for example seeing others with many followers and they have less, can make them feel like they do not measure up to their peers.
Teens may spend so much time on social media, neglecting school work, spending time with family or even being outdoor.
Now you are probably wondering what approach you may take to address this with your teen:
- Advise them to be nice on the socials and not be mean.
- Think twice before hitting the send button.
- Teach them to not post anything they would not want their parent, teacher or colleague to see.
- Go through privacy settings with them.
- Do not build friendships with strangers on the net.
Consider making up your own “social media” contract with your teen and advise them to follow it.
Most importantly follow your teens on social media, just do not be all over their socials.
Also see: How to speak to your kids about sexuality
