How can I help my son or daughter find their way around social media?
Social media will arrive sooner or later. Preparing them beforehand, being with them at the start and keeping the conversation going works better than banning it.
Most social networks set the minimum age at thirteen or older, but many children come across them earlier through siblings, friends or videos. That is why it is worth starting to talk about it in primary school.
Before opening an account
- Ask why they want it and what they will do on it.
- Respect minimum ages and put it off for as long as is reasonable.
- Set up privacy and parental controls together.
What they need to know
- What is posted stays. A photo or a comment can be copied and forwarded.
- Not everything is real. Filters, hidden advertising and edited lives.
- Personal details. No address, no school, no location.
- Strangers. Do not accept or meet up with people they do not know.
- Respect. Do not write anything they would not say to someone's face.
A family agreement
Agree in writing on times, phone-free places such as the table and the bedroom at night, and what happens if the agreement is broken.
If something happens
The most important message is: “if you see something, or something happens to you, that makes you feel bad, tell me; I won't punish you by taking your phone away”. If they are afraid of being punished, they will keep quiet.
Our example
How we use our own phones and what we post about them also teaches them.