Few of us can claim to be unaware of the powerful influence of social media. With so many social media platforms available these days it is so easy for young people to get lost in the myriads of options to connect with different online communities, share content, influence and be influenced. Now we are not saying that these influences are ‘bad’ for young people, however we are saying that as parents and guardians we need to be informed so that we are aware of the people and things our young people are exposed to.
For those of us who grew up before the advent of social media or have little interest in or just aren’t that interested in, and consequently don’t know much about how it works; trying to understand the huge impact it has on young people’s view of themselves, and the world is difficult to grasp. It is used by many as an escape and distraction from ‘real’ life. This then leads to a lack of focus and interest in school, physical activity, family interaction and spending time hanging out with peers. Then there is the very real danger of exposure to inappropriate or harmful content. This compromises their safety by oversharing personal information and location; cyberbullying; pornography. This then invariably has a negative impact on self-esteem, causes anxiety, which can lead to depression.
We know that not all social media is bad. The challenge is to assist young people find the balance. When it is used for the right reasons, in moderation and with an awareness of what is and is not appropriate there should not be a problem. As parents/guardians it is important to monitor their usage and be alert to changes in their attitude, social interaction and approach to everyday life. It is in your young person’s best interest to set some guidelines to support them as they navigate the world of social media, before it becomes evident that they are wrestling with its negative effects.
3 simple ideas you may want to consider:
- Decide at which age you feel comfortable for your child to have access to social media. Remember the risk of exposing children to so much content at a young age can be dangerous. If you are struggling to decide on an age, ask yourself this question; – Am I happy for my child to go alone into a community of strangers without me, without adult supervision or safety measures in place? If the answer is no, then your child is not ready to have access to social media. It doesn’t matter if other children their age have access to it. As a parent you are responsible to ensure that your child is protected and taught to make wise choices.
- When your child is at the right age and does have access to social media, then you need to set some sound boundaries. A basic rule which can apply to school going children and teens is – No devices are allowed in the bedroom at night. Try to create a culture in your home where all cell phones are switched off at a certain time, aiming for at least one hour before bedtime.
- Communication is key – we can’t shield our children forever or prevent them from making mistakes. But we can keep the lines of communication open so that we can freely speak to them about making wise decisions. When a child understands that the lines of communication between you and them are open, they will feel freer to speak to you rather than looking to peers and social media for solutions. Be mindful of your approach, so that when needed they choose to come to you over anything else.