Social media is more popular than ever, especially among children and teenagers. While social platforms can provide fun ways for kids to engage and connect online, they also come with risks. As a parent or carer, it’s important to understand both the benefits and potential dangers of social media so you can help keep your child safe. This article explores what you need to know right now about kids and social media use.
The Rising Popularity of Social Media
Over the past decade, social media has exploded in popularity. Major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube boast hundreds of millions or even billions of users across all ages. About 7 in 10 teens use social media in some capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated social media adoption as kids spent more time at home and online. With social platforms increasingly ubiquitous, it’s vital for parents to pay attention.
Risks and Concerns
While social media offers opportunities for self-expression, creativity and connection, it also poses a variety of risks, especially for young users with still-developing judgement and impulse control. Some key dangers include:
- Cyberbullying – Kids can be targets of harassing messages, threatening comments or embarrassing posts from peers. This can lead to emotional distress.
- Predators – Adults with bad intentions may use social platforms to contact and exploit children. Predatory behaviour is a major concern.
- Inappropriate content – Children may be exposed to content like violence, hate speech, sexual material and misinformation that is not age-appropriate.
- Privacy issues – Oversharing personal details, images and videos can put a child’s privacy and safety at risk. Identity theft is also a problem.
- Unhealthy comparisons – Social media use can contribute to low self-esteem and unhealthy body image as kids compare themselves to filtered versions of their peers.
- Sleep issues – Exposure to blue light from screens as well as compulsive use at night disrupt healthy sleep patterns essential for development.
- Distraction – Social media and phones can interfere with learning, family time and other aspects of a healthy childhood.
If you are a foster carer and you have concerns about social media and the child in your care, contact your fostering agency, such as Fostering People, for advice.
Best Practices for Parents
While social media comes with risks, there are steps parents and carers can take to allow kids to use it safely:
- Set age limits – Most major platforms require users to be at least 13 years old to create accounts. Avoid letting younger kids on social platforms designated for teens and adults.
- Talk about responsible use – Have open and honest discussions about proper online behaviour, privacy protection and avoiding inappropriate content.
- Monitor activity and use parental controls – Oversee your child’s social media presence and make use of built-in parental controls like privacy settings.
- Limit screen time – Enforce limits on when and how long kids can use social media, especially at night. Avoid screens an hour before bedtime.
- Be a good role model – Kids notice how parents use technology. Model responsible use and avoid oversharing about your child online.
Social media is part of modern childhood. But instead of banning social platforms, parents should make an effort to understand both their benefits and risks. With good guidance, open communication and safety controls, kids can learn to use social media in healthy, age-appropriate ways as they grow.
