How to Keep Your Kids Safe on Social Media
November is Child Safety Protection Month, which is a great excuse to discuss keeping kids safe online. Although social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, are a great way to stay connected, these platforms also come with dangers and negative consequences. Here are some online safety tips to ensure that your children use social media carefully and responsibly.
Learn About Social Media
Social media safety for kids starts with the parents. The first step in keeping kids safe online is by staying up to date with the popular social media platforms and features. Familiarize yourself with how each platform works and what they are used for. As of 2019, the most popular social media outlets include:
· YouTube
· Snapchat
· TikTok
If you don’t already have an account, make a profile on each platform that your child will be using in order to fully understand the ins and outs of the site. And keep in mind that social media is always evolving. New platforms, such as TikTok, will be introduced while others may become obsolete. Keep up to date by reading articles and doing research about the latest social media news.
Communicate With Your Kids About Social Media Safety
Set a solid foundation of trust and communication with your children. Talk to them about social media for kids and openly discuss the consequences. Teach them about their digital footprint and how their posts, comments, likes and shares can impact their online reputation. Explain that this might not seem like a big deal now, but it can potentially keep them from getting into college and getting a job.
Determine an Age Limit
When it comes to social media for kids, most platforms have an age requirement, with 13 years old being the most common. However, these are recommendations (not the law), so parents need to enforce these age limits. Parents can also establish their own age for when they feel it’s appropriate for their child to be on social media.
Set the Ground Rules
Setting social media ground rules is very important in keeping kids safe online. The specific guidelines will vary between families, but a few suggestions include:
· Limiting the amount of time your child can spend on social media each day
· Which apps they are allowed to use
· Whether or not you have access to their login information
· Which privacy settings are selected
Check Their Privacy Settings on a Regular Basis
Social media networks are constantly changing and being updated. Check your child’s privacy settings regularly to ensure his or her profile is as secure as possible. This includes who can see their posts, what information is visible on their profile, who can send them messages and more. This is an important online safety tip for adults to keep in mind, too.
Discuss Social Media Dangers
It’s important that your children are aware of the risks that come with using social media. Some social media “dangers” you’ll want to discuss include:
Sharing Personal Information
A big thing to keep in mind when it comes to social media for kids is sharing too much personal information. Kids should understand the possible consequences of sharing their address, phone number and exact location online.
Don’t “Friend” Strangers
Just like in real life, children should be cautious of strangers. Unless they know the person, they should not accept their friend request.
Cyber Bullying
According to Smart Social, one in three children has been cyber bullied and 70% of children say they have cyber bullied someone online. Teach kids to report cyber bullying whether it is happening to themselves or someone else. Social cruelty online (and off) can have detrimental consequences on mental health.
Keeping kids safe online is no easy feat. However, by fostering an open dialogue with your children and setting online safety guidelines, parents can ensure that their kids are using these platforms respectfully and responsibly.
