In a world where everything from setting up playdates with mom groups to keeping up with your kids’ school assignments, everything is done via social media. And in today’s digital age, since our kids are online regularly, ensuring their safety should be our top priority. The likelihood that our kids will come across harmful content online or be exposed to threats or cyberbullying is significant. Here are some tips and strategies to help caregivers monitor social media usage to ensure a safer digital environment for our children.
The danger of online predators and cyberbullying
Implementing screen time limits
One wrong click could lead your child to inappropriate content. Incorporating social media parental controls is one way to combat that. Another is to implement screen time limits.
Matthew Schubert is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) specializing in issues that affect children and their parents. Schubert believes that it’s important to restrict social media access for children under the age of 13. “As your child approaches this age, it’s crucial to establish clear guidelines and boundaries that will allow your child to maintain the privilege of social media usage.”
Schubert – owner of Gem State Wellness in Boise, Idaho, believes that parents should be consistent in enforcing agreed-upon rules and stay consistent when doing so. “By setting firm expectations and delaying social media access until 13, additional parental controls should not be required. If additional measures seem necessary, it indicates either your child isn’t ready for this autonomy or that there is a need to reassess your parenting approach to avoid being excessively authoritarian,” Schubert told Mom.com
What it truly boils down to is communication. If we parent our kids in such a way that we’re being open and honest with them from the start, as Nicki states above, then we’re on the right track. When they know the risks, understand the difference between right and wrong, and know that they can come to us when they’re facing something difficult, we can start to loosen the reigns a bit and offer up a little bit more freedom here and there.
