How to Help Your Kids Develop Healthy Social Media Habits
How to help your kids have a healthy relationship with social media Get the best ways and guidelines from an expert person here. Before you begin, take a look at these tips that might be most beneficial for your child.
Social networks are everywhere. From virtual homework to viral YouTube videos, our kids are spending more time in front of the screen than ever. As a parent, you want to protect them, but you also want to give them the skills they need to make good decisions for themselves. According to a recent study, children between the ages of eight and 18 engage in some form of media technology - smartphones, tablets, or computers - for an average of nine hours a day. In an increasingly digital world, it is important for parents to set safe boundaries and encourage the development of a healthy relationship with social media.
“Every child is different,” said Pamela Lusk, PMHNP-BC, FAANP, an adolescent psychiatric nurse practitioner at Ponderosa Pediatrics in Prescott. “Some 13-year-olds can handle social media and some can't. Parents should ask themselves if their child is ready and then talk to them about online safety and how to have a healthy relationship with social media. "
• For example, if your child asks if she can download a new type of social media app, you can ask how she found out, who knows she uses it, and what kinds of things she would like to do in it.
• If your son approaches you with concerns about something he saw online, reassure him that he is glad that he was honest with you, even if he is upset by what she said.
• Consider your child's personality: If he's self-conscious about her appearance, Insta might not be the healthiest choice for his image of himself. If you notice your child is following any accounts with explicit or inappropriate content, step in immediately.
• Athletes
• World leaders
• Writers
• STEM researchers
• Climate change activists
• Sports Personalities
• Consider making a rule that your child can only friend people on social media if they know them in real life to help protect their privacy.
• No matter what app you use, if there is a geotagging feature that shows the location that pictures were taken, turn it off.
• Double-check the privacy settings on their social media accounts to make sure their personal info and friends can only see posts.
• Be clear about the fact that sometimes-online predators pretend to be much younger than they are as a way to make kids feel comfortable sharing information with them.
• Explain that is why it is important for your child to only talk to people they know in real life.
Sometimes it helps to have an outside source verify what you're saying. As an adult, you know that there's a lot in the world that you need to protect your child from, but it can be hard to convince them of that. You don't want to scare them, but you do want them to know that danger is real. If you see real-world examples of online predators, cyberbullying, privacy violations, or any other online concerns, point them out to your child and talk again about why social media safety is so important.
• For instance, you might say, "I just read a study about teens feeling insecure when they compare themselves to what they see on social media. Do you ever feel that way?
• When they are old enough for the conversation, talk to them about the dangers of sexting. Let them know that in addition to their embarrassment if their messages or photos got out if they are under a certain age, they could actually get in legal trouble for sending explicit pictures online.
• “This generation is part of the digital world,” Dr. Lusk said. “It’s important that parents help shape their children’s relationship with social media in a way that’s positive for their health. The best way to do that is to be informed and involved.
• Children are constantly developing and looking for examples around them of how to act,” said Dr. Lusk. “Parents can set good examples by limiting their screen time.
• Be honest with your child if this is hard for you. If you allow them to see you working to overcome it, they will learn that even if it is not easy, maintaining a healthy balance with social media is important, and it is something worth doing!
Social networks are everywhere. From virtual homework to viral YouTube videos, our kids are spending more time in front of the screen than ever. As a parent, you want to protect them, but you also want to give them the skills they need to make good decisions for themselves. According to a recent study, children between the ages of eight and 18 engage in some form of media technology - smartphones, tablets, or computers - for an average of nine hours a day. In an increasingly digital world, it is important for parents to set safe boundaries and encourage the development of a healthy relationship with social media.
“Every child is different,” said Pamela Lusk, PMHNP-BC, FAANP, an adolescent psychiatric nurse practitioner at Ponderosa Pediatrics in Prescott. “Some 13-year-olds can handle social media and some can't. Parents should ask themselves if their child is ready and then talk to them about online safety and how to have a healthy relationship with social media. "
Here are some awesome guidelines and method suggestions to get you and your child started.
Create an open atmosphere for your children to talk to you
Let your kids know that they can talk to you about social media uses, their experiences online, and any problems they encounter. This helps you stay informed and allows you to guide and protect them. Be open and curious about what they are doing.• For example, if your child asks if she can download a new type of social media app, you can ask how she found out, who knows she uses it, and what kinds of things she would like to do in it.
• If your son approaches you with concerns about something he saw online, reassure him that he is glad that he was honest with you, even if he is upset by what she said.
Begin the procedures by allowing an educational or informational social media application
Talk to them about the app they would most like to use and find out if it is appropriate for your child. There are many pros and cons to every social media app. Although, there are now many popular apps like (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube) where you can create an account for kids or teens and guide them to move towards Positive Choices.• Consider your child's personality: If he's self-conscious about her appearance, Insta might not be the healthiest choice for his image of himself. If you notice your child is following any accounts with explicit or inappropriate content, step in immediately.
Limit screen time
Empower your children by working together to create the rules. Set time limits and media-free zones early on to help your kids maintain balance in their lives. When you allow them to help set the rules, you are teaching them that they are capable of controlling their relationship with social media and technology in general.
• Less time spent interacting with social media means more time for experiences with friends, family, and the great outdoors. There are positive effects of social media, but it is important to balance screen time with physical activities.
• “Parents can emphasize the benefits of a balanced life by replacing screen time with other activities,” said Dr. Lusk. “Making dinner together or taking a family walk in the evening are simple activities in real-time. Or you can encourage your child to participate in a new extracurricular activity that allows him to interact with friends who have similar interests. "
• For example, you can agree that your children can use social media for one hour a day, as long as it is not in the 30 minutes before bedtime.
• Less time spent interacting with social media means more time for experiences with friends, family, and the great outdoors. There are positive effects of social media, but it is important to balance screen time with physical activities.
• “Parents can emphasize the benefits of a balanced life by replacing screen time with other activities,” said Dr. Lusk. “Making dinner together or taking a family walk in the evening are simple activities in real-time. Or you can encourage your child to participate in a new extracurricular activity that allows him to interact with friends who have similar interests. "
• For example, you can agree that your children can use social media for one hour a day, as long as it is not in the 30 minutes before bedtime.
Encourage healthy connections
Fill up their feed with inspirational messages. You cannot control everything your child will see on social media, but by helping them find accounts with a positive message, you can at least stack the deck. Talk with your kids about the type of accounts they follow and discuss the general feelings they have after engaging. Encourage your children to unfollow any accounts that create the former emotional response and instead follow those that create a positive sense of connection.• Athletes
• World leaders
• Writers
• STEM researchers
• Climate change activists
• Sports Personalities
Talk often about social media safety
Have frequent conversations about the need for privacy online. Tweens and teens might not realize the dangers of sharing things like their name, phone number, birth date, or school name on their social media profiles. Help them understand the importance of not posting inappropriate pictures or updates. Make sure to discuss cyber predators.• Consider making a rule that your child can only friend people on social media if they know them in real life to help protect their privacy.
• No matter what app you use, if there is a geotagging feature that shows the location that pictures were taken, turn it off.
• Double-check the privacy settings on their social media accounts to make sure their personal info and friends can only see posts.
Be honest about the dangers of online predators
Help them understand red flags and what to do if they see them. It can be hard to talk about something as uncomfortable as sexual predators, but it is an important part of online safety. Make sure your child knows that if anything ever makes them uncomfortable, no matter how small it seems, they should come to you right away. Talk to them about other types of behaviors they should watch out for, as well, like someone they don't know asking really personal questions or pushing them to send photos.• Be clear about the fact that sometimes-online predators pretend to be much younger than they are as a way to make kids feel comfortable sharing information with them.
• Explain that is why it is important for your child to only talk to people they know in real life.
Use news stories and anecdotes as teachable moments
Sometimes it helps to have an outside source verify what you're saying. As an adult, you know that there's a lot in the world that you need to protect your child from, but it can be hard to convince them of that. You don't want to scare them, but you do want them to know that danger is real. If you see real-world examples of online predators, cyberbullying, privacy violations, or any other online concerns, point them out to your child and talk again about why social media safety is so important.
• For instance, you might say, "I just read a study about teens feeling insecure when they compare themselves to what they see on social media. Do you ever feel that way?
Explain how their online presence could affect their future
Help them think about the way they are presenting themselves. Kids often do not realize how inappropriate photos, mean-spirited comments, and careless language can affect them later. Also, teach them that even if they delete these things later, there is always a chance that someone could screenshot it, so it could come back on them later.• When they are old enough for the conversation, talk to them about the dangers of sexting. Let them know that in addition to their embarrassment if their messages or photos got out if they are under a certain age, they could actually get in legal trouble for sending explicit pictures online.
Take a break from the digital world
Digital detoxing is a healthy practice. There are small ways to “unplug,” such as the whole family turning off devices while at the dinner table or making the car a device-free zone. You can also suggest longer “unplug” sessions, like a low-tech weekend. While there might be some grumbling initially, most people – children and adults – are generally happier without the temptation of media technology.• “This generation is part of the digital world,” Dr. Lusk said. “It’s important that parents help shape their children’s relationship with social media in a way that’s positive for their health. The best way to do that is to be informed and involved.
Set a positive example
Adults are not immune to the lure of screens and social media. Dr. Lusk suggests being conscious of the amount of time, you spend on social media and the kinds of posts you make to avoid social media problems.• Children are constantly developing and looking for examples around them of how to act,” said Dr. Lusk. “Parents can set good examples by limiting their screen time.
• Be honest with your child if this is hard for you. If you allow them to see you working to overcome it, they will learn that even if it is not easy, maintaining a healthy balance with social media is important, and it is something worth doing!
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