As a parent, the internet can be a pretty scary place — especially when we think about the safety of social media (or lack thereof). Anyone with teens or tweens, and sometimes kids even younger, knows that it can be difficult to stop that social media train once it’s already rolling, and if their friends are already using popular apps like Instagram and TikTok? Forget it. The begging to create their own accounts can simply be relentless — and some kids are even willing to do so without our permission (and break the age guidelines of the sites in question in the process).
Fortunately, there are ways to keep your kids safe online without having to say no to all of their internet requests. As long as you have a clear understanding of what the sites they’re using are all about and can set boundaries right away that you and your child agree on, internet safety is easier than it looks.
Wondering about social media safety for kids? Read on for what you need to know about all of the major social media apps and sites, and how to keep your kids safe while using them.
How do kids use social media? Here are the most popular platforms
How to stay safe on social media
If you’ve decided to give your child the OK to use social media, it’s important to keep an eye out for red flags. If you notice that they’re being particularly secretive when they’re using their phones or computers or refuse to show you what they’re doing or tell you who they’re talking to, that might mean something is up.
It’s also important to employ all of the privacy options offered by each social media site, and to let your child know up front what the rules are surrounding their use of these apps.
“Your number one priority is to keep your kids safe from harm. Part of that responsibility now involves safety online,” online safety expert Denise Lisi de Rosa told Huffington Post. “What you need to do is educate yourself on the social media platforms your kids are using, learn how to use them yourself, and insist that you review their privacy settings on each platform together. It is OK to prohibit them from using any platform that you think has too much potential for harm.”
And remember: Keeping the lines of communication open is one of the most important things you can do.
“I know we can’t put our kids in a bubble, but we can help them learn what can happen if they’re not careful with social media,” mom Denise Cruz wrote for Mom.com. “I’m hoping that by having these conversations now, I’m helping him realize the consequences of his actions, and he’ll be careful at every age.”
