Social media is an integral part of our lives and as a result, parents have had to turn to parental controls to help navigate the complexity of the online world. To protect children from the potential risks and hazards of the digital age, social media parental controls are now more important than ever. Here are various types of social media parental controls that empower parents to provide a safer online space for their children.
Why are parental controls for social media important?
Tips for parents monitoring social media accounts of minors
Registered psychologists Chelsie Bodie and Caitlin Slavens run Mamapsychologists and are dedicated to assisting parents in raising emotionally resilient children. The pair believe that caregivers should be mindful of age restrictions and parental control settings on any apps or devices their children use. “Education is key, providing children education around social media; and the pros and cons around using it.”
Caregivers should also keep lines of communication open and discuss the content they find their children watching or following. “Explore what they are being exposed to, and what apps they are using. Talk about things they have watched or played. This can help build trust and open communication around technology use.”
It’s also important that parents and other caregivers monitor their child’s friends and followers. “Lay out boundaries and the consequences of violating those boundaries ahead of time. You can even include children in exploring what consequences could be,” Mamapsychologists suggests. “This can help them be engaged in the process, as well as, having open communication ahead of time.
