13 and social!

Parental Guidance for Setting Up your teens first social media account

13 And Social - Your Teens First Social Media Account

As a parent, it can be difficult to navigate the world of social media with your child. On one hand, you want your child to have the opportunity to connect with friends and express themselves online. On the other hand, you want to keep them safe and protect them from bullying and other negative experiences.

Samantha, a 13-year-old girl, has been begging her parents for a social media account for months. She's been telling them that all of her friends have one and she feels left out when they talk about the latest TikTok trends or Instagram posts. Her parents have been hesitant, but they know that social media is a big part of today's world and they don't want Samantha to feel left out.

When it comes to setting up social media accounts for your 13 year old, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it's important to have a conversation with your child about the potential risks and rewards of social media. Explain to them that while social media can be a great way to stay connected with friends and share their interests, it can also be a breeding ground for cyberbullying and other negative experiences.

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to set boundaries and guidelines for your child's social media use. For example, you may want to set limits on the amount of time they can spend on social media each day, or restrict their access to certain apps or websites. You may also want to monitor their activity online and be aware of who they are interacting with.

Another important step is to teach your child how to be a good digital citizen. This includes things like being respectful to others online, not sharing personal information, and avoiding cyberbullying. You may also want to encourage your child to come to you if they ever experience any negative experiences on social media.

Finally, it's important to be aware of the different apps and websites that your child may be using. Some popular platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, have age restrictions and may not be appropriate for children under 13. Other platforms, such as TikTok, have a minimum age of 13 but may contain inappropriate content for children of that age.

Overall, setting up social media accounts for your 13 year old can be a tricky balancing act, but with the right guidance and support, you can help your child navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to Digital Families Counselling for additional support.

• Set strict privacy settings: Ensure your child's social media profile is private, visible only to people they know and trust.

• Monitor their activity: Regularly check your child's social media accounts and talk to them about their online activities.

• Educate about cyberbullying: Discuss the dangers of cyberbullying and teach your child how to identify and respond to it.

• Promote open communication: Encourage your child to talk to you about any negative experiences they have on social media. Make sure they know they can come to you for help and support.

• Set time limits: Limit how much time your child can spend on social media daily to balance online and offline activities.

• Be a positive role model: Show good behavior on social media by treating others online with respect and kindness.

• Keep personal information private: Remind your child not to share personal information online, such as home address, phone number, or school name, on social media.

• Connect only with people they know: Ensure your child only accepts friend requests from people they know in real life. Remind them to be cautious about accepting friend requests from strangers.

• Use parental controls: Use parental controls to monitor your child's social media use and block inappropriate content. TikTok, Instagram and Kids Messenger have restrictions for younger users.

• The Internet is forever: Remind your child that posts on social media can be permanent and to think before sharing.

  
  
  My Parent Guide “Happy And Safe Online” has more guidance and parental advice on Social Media and Teens.