10 Tips for Keeping Children Safe on Social Media
There’s no doubt that much more of our lives are conducted online than ten or fifteen years ago. With the popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram, we are now all connected in ways we may not have thought possible back then. Our children are also engaged, messaging friends, posting videos and pictures and communicating with people across the world.
On one hand, it’s remarkable and exciting for children to be online and having access to social media can help them develop and thrive. However, parents are well aware of the potential pitfalls: cyberbullying, the risk of being befriended by undesirable individuals, exposure to inappropriate content and even developing unhealthy habits like gambling.
Here are 10 tips for keeping children safe on social media:
Time to Talk
The earlier you start the conversation about online safety with your children, the better. Keep reminding them regularly. This shouldn’t be a hysterical rant about what can go wrong, but rather an open discussion to make them aware that not everything online is as it seems. For instance, they should only accept connection requests from people they know in real life.
Take an Interest
Yes, children may be protective of their online world and might not want you to be involved. But if you show interest early on, you’re more likely to be included. The average child spends about 12 hours a week online, and you’ll want to ensure they are safe. After all, you wouldn’t let them wander off into a new town alone, so why let them roam unsupervised in the digital world?
Who Are They Talking To?
Children don’t just meet people on social media; they can also interact with others on gaming platforms. Explain to your child that it’s easy for people to pretend to be someone else online. Just as in real life, they shouldn’t accept friend requests from strangers. This is the online equivalent of the classic ‘stranger danger’ conversation.
Set Rules
It might seem easier to let your child explore the online world independently, but it’s important to have rules in place, just as you would with any other activity. Set limits on their screen time, discuss how they should treat others online and decide what kind of information and images are appropriate to share. Remind them that the online world is real too—people’s behaviour online can have real consequences.
Is This Platform Right?
Check if the social media platform or gaming site your child is using is age appropriate. With easy access to movies, games and videos, it’s crucial to make sure your child isn’t viewing content that isn’t suitable for their age.
Use Restrictions
Many platforms now offer parental controls, allowing you to restrict the kind of content your child can view. Most are now catching up with age appropriate restrictions. You can also set up passwords on devices, so children can’t access certain information. If you’re unsure how to implement these measures, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for help.
Address Privacy Issues
It’s not just the content that children can access but also the personal information they share that matters. Each platform offers privacy settings that allow you to control what information is visible. Have a conversation about why privacy settings are important and ensure your child is not sharing personal details publicly.
Check Devices
With smartphones, tablets and laptops, children can access the same content on multiple devices. Just because you monitor their laptop doesn’t mean they’re not viewing something else on their phone. Be aware of all the devices they use and keep them in check.
Stay Engaged as They Grow Older
As children grow older, their tech skills often surpass those of their parents, but this doesn’t mean they are more life-savvy. Teens are still vulnerable, so keep engaging with them about their online activities. This is easier if you’ve been involved from the beginning but can still be challenging during the teenage years.
Connect with Other Parents
Keeping track of your child’s online activities can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. Connect with other parents and share your concerns and knowledge. Schools now offer support on navigating the online world and there’s plenty of advice available online for parents.
Suggestions for Safe Social Media Activity
Social media is a great way for children to continue their social development, especially with clubs and teams that may have an online presence. You might suggest that these groups create a Facebook group for parents and members to stay connected. Facebook Group privacy settings allow you to lock down a group so that only invited members can see the content. This provides a relatively safe environment for your child’s social media engagement.
About the author: Jules White of The Last Hurdle
Jules White is the founder and franchisor of The Last Hurdle, and the Northampton franchisee. A Business Development Specialist with over 18 years of sales and marketing experience, Jules was invited to be a panellist for Facebook, advising small businesses on how to use Facebook for business at the first Bootcamp in EMEA held in London and again during the summer tour in Cardiff. Jules is also a mum of three.
