Social Media and Kids: 5 Ways to Monitor What’s Going On

Social Media and Kids: 5 Ways to Monitor What’s Going On

In this day and age, social media plays a important role in kids’ lives. The access to real-time communication, anonymity and the ability to be anyone you want to be can be beneficial, but it can also be dangerous. Knowing how to monitor and manage your child’s use of social media is vitally important. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your child is safe:

Talk to Your Child

Before your child begins using social media, it’s important to talk to them about the potential risks and dangers. Make sure your child knows not to share personal information and to protect their privacy online.

Set Rules

It’s also important to talk to your child about the rules you have set regarding their use of social media. Make sure you make them aware of these rules, and the consequences of breaking them. Explain why it’s important to follow these rules and provide examples of when it might be important to do so.

Get Involved

Don’t be afraid to get involved and participate in your child’s social media use. Follow their accounts so you can see what they are posting and who they are talking to. Be sure to ‘friend’ or ‘follow’ your child’s friends as well, so you can get an idea of what kind of content they’re viewing and engaging with.

Limit Access

Limit the amount of time your child is allowed to spend on social media. Set specific times of the day when social media use is permitted and ensure that your child sticks to the schedule. You can also use these times to further monitor their activity and make sure everything is ok.

Educate Yourself

Finally, it’s important for parents to educate themselves about social media use. Make sure you take the time to understand what’s popular, what the dangers are, and how to properly manage and monitor your child’s activity online.

Social media of today’s society can bring both joy and peril to our kids. As a parent it’s important to know the risks and benefit of social media and how to properly monitor and be involved in your child’s online use. By setting boundaries and talking to your child, you can make sure they stay safe while still being able to enjoy the many benefits of this technology.