The best way to protect your child from social media’s negative mental health effects is to engage … [+]
Parents are increasingly aware that too much time on social media can harm kids’ and teens’ mental health. According to research, there are three key ways that parents protect teens from social media’s mental health effects.
3 Ways Parents Protect Kids From Social Media
Allowing our kids to use social media while protecting their mental health takes time and effort from parents. Fortunately, research has revealed three key factors that make a positive difference in kids’ and teens’ mental health. These are a high quality relationship with their parents, a high level of parental supervision and spending limited amounts of time online.
Fostering A High Quality Relationship With Your Teen
According to the 2024 APA report on teens and social media, teens who reported high quality relationships with their parents had better mental health.
When it comes to protecting your child, especially when that means setting limits, it is crucial that your child feels heard and respected by you. Fostering a high quality relationship with your teen means clearly communicating that you welcome and value their perspectives, while also retaining the right to make the final decision.
Recognize the value of social media
There is a reason that your kids want access to social media, and it’s not just to rot their brains. The U.S. surgeon general’s social media advisory of 2023 highlighted several benefits. For example, social media can provide positive community and connection around shared interests. Social media also allows kids an opportunity for self-expression and to find communities around shared identities. For kids with minority identities or interests, connecting online with other people like themselves can be fun and supportive.
Have frank conversations with your child about social media
Like so many important issues around growing up, parents cannot rely on one “big talk” to be the final word on social media. Have ongoing conversations with your child about social media, and keep having them.
- Ask your child about social media. Consider starting at age eight, since that’s when a lot of kids get started or make secret accounts their parent don’t know about. Are they interested in social media? Which of their friends are using social media? What do they like about it? What do they think is bad or unhealthy about it? Do they know anyone who has been hurt by social media?
- Acknowledge both the good things about social media and your own usage. If you get distracted by your favorite platform during dinner, your child notices.
- Be clear about your rules for social media and state them directly. Tell your child that kids can get unhappy, anxious or depressed from too much social media and why you are setting these time limits and age-restrictions. Even if they roll their eyes or argue with you, kids are more likely to work with you if they understand your reasoning and intentions. For more help, the AAP offers a family media plan toolkit for parents.
- Form connections with your child around social media. You kids are much more likely to tell you when there is a problem if they’ve already shared good moments on social media with you. For example, my son enjoys watching YouTube shorts with me so he can update me on what he’s enjoyed, or what he thinks is stupid.
- Explain the limits you will be setting.
- Keep having open conversations with your child as their grow up, because their relationship with and needs for social media will change.
A High Level of Parental Supervision
One of the most impressive findings of the APA report on teens and social media was that the teens who had better mental health reported a high level of parental supervision. Parents know how skillful our teens can be when making the case against our rules or leadership, so this may come as a surprise.
In a great example of the power of social media influencers, many parents have absorbed the idea that saying ‘no’ to their kids is bad. Regarding social media, research suggests that kids have the best outcomes with parents set limits around social media, which also coaching their kids about using it. For parents who might find this difficult, remember that in any school of parenting, giving a firm ‘no’ has always been allowed when it comes to safety issues.
Or take this as a call to action: the APA reported that 60% of the teens who used social media the most reported low parental monitoring and weak parental relationships, along with poor or very poor mental health. Among that group, 22% reported thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Supervise your kids’ social media accounts
Explain to your kids that social media is a public space, which means you will be following their accounts and checking what your kids are posting. It is not a privacy violation toward your teens to check what they are doing in public. What your child posts or comments on social media could follow them forever.
If this still feels invasive, remember that online companies are already collecting every piece of data they can on your child. You might as well know what that is.
Set age limits: no social media accounts under age 13
The expert consensus is that kids should not be making their own social media accounts under the age of 13. While some parents make exceptions like allowing Facebook Kids so their kids can use the messenger app, the point is to closely supervise.
Social media platforms have long been a concern for parents when it comes to their children’s online safety. Unfortunately, these platforms are largely ineffective at preventing kids from creating accounts before the age of 13. As a parent, it’s crucial to be aware of which social media platforms your child is using and the potential risks associated with each one.
Before allowing your child to join a social media platform, do some research. Every platform has had reports of predators, cyber-bullying, and other harmful activities. Instagram and Snapchat, for example, have been linked to body image issues and eating disorders in teenage girls. TikTok has been known to create filter bubbles that may encourage self-harm or other harmful behaviors. Even YouTube’s algorithm can contribute to filter bubbles that impact users’ mental health.
One phenomenon to watch out for is the “Finsta” or fake Instagram account trend. Teens may create a fake profile for parents to see while using a real account for their friends. It’s essential to stay vigilant and monitor your child’s online activity to ensure their safety.
Despite what kids may say, limiting their social media usage will not ruin their social life. Teens will find other ways to communicate with each other, such as texting or video calls. As a parent, it’s important to set boundaries and enforce rules to protect your child from the potential negative effects of social media.
There are tools available to help parents supervise their child’s social media activities. Apple users can utilize Screen Time settings to control app usage and set time limits. Google Family Link is another option for managing app usage on Android and ChromeOS devices. Third-party apps like Kaspersky Safe Kids can also assist with content filtering.
Setting time limits for your child’s social media usage is crucial. Studies have shown that excessive social media use can lead to anxiety, depression, and loneliness in children. Monitoring your child’s screen time and enforcing limits can help protect their mental health.
Ultimately, your most powerful tool as a parent is engagement with your child. Research has shown that kids with engaged parents who set consistent limits are happier and healthier overall. By monitoring and limiting your child’s social media usage, you can help protect them from the potential negative effects of these platforms. The world of technology is constantly evolving and advancing at a rapid pace. From the latest smartphones to cutting-edge AI technologies, there is always something new and exciting on the horizon. One of the most intriguing developments in recent years has been the rise of virtual reality (VR) technology.
Virtual reality technology allows users to immerse themselves in a completely digital world, using a headset and motion sensors to interact with their surroundings. This technology has been used in a variety of industries, from gaming to healthcare, with new applications being developed all the time.
One of the most exciting developments in virtual reality technology is the use of VR in education. Educators are increasingly turning to VR as a way to engage students in a more immersive and interactive learning experience. By using VR technology, students can explore historical sites, dive into the depths of the ocean, or even travel to outer space, all from the comfort of their classroom.
One of the key benefits of using VR in education is the ability to bring complex concepts to life in a way that traditional teaching methods cannot. For example, students studying biology can use VR technology to explore the inner workings of a cell, while history students can virtually visit important historical events and locations.
Another benefit of using VR in education is the ability to cater to different learning styles. Some students may struggle to grasp certain concepts through traditional teaching methods, but by using VR technology, educators can provide a more visual and interactive learning experience that can help these students better understand and retain information.
In addition to its educational benefits, VR technology also has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about online learning. With the rise of online education platforms, more and more students are turning to the internet to further their education. By incorporating VR technology into online learning platforms, educators can create a more engaging and interactive learning experience for students, helping to bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and online education.
Overall, the rise of virtual reality technology in education is an exciting development that has the potential to transform the way we teach and learn. By using VR technology to create more immersive and interactive learning experiences, educators can help students better understand complex concepts, cater to different learning styles, and revolutionize the way we think about online education. As VR technology continues to advance and evolve, the possibilities for its use in education are endless, and the future of learning looks brighter than ever.
