We all know from personal experience that social media can have some negative effects on us mentally and physically. Considering the impact it has, it is very important to monitor your kid’s engagement on social media.
Social media is a vast place where anything can happen and pop up on your kid’s feed so it’s only right to have some sort of cause of concern for them using it. It’s also pretty impossible to monitor exactly what they are seeing and when they are looking at it because, when they are, you are usually preoccupied with other tasks.
Either way, setting clear boundaries with your kids will not only keep them protected from the bad parts of social media but also educate them and give them peace of mind when they want to scroll or engage with their friends from school. It is important to note that social media can be a fun platform for them to express themselves and get inspired but setting limits on what they can be exposed to is also a very sensible move.
This guide equips you with the tools and strategies to navigate social media and how to peacefully set boundaries with your kids.
Why Boundaries Are Necessary
Here are some reasons that might encourage you to discuss the usage of social media with your children.
Mental Wellbeing
Social media has a vast content, from influencers and internet trolls to new articles that shouldn’t be read by kids. These content can create insecurities or promote anxious feelings, depression and even issues with sleeping patterns.
Comparing ourselves to people on the internet has become very common. As parents, we know better than anyone that this is very true. So you have to be careful to expose your children to those platforms where they can subject themselves to that harm.
It’s hard because social media can foster so many good things as well, but only when boundaries are set.
Cyberbullying
It’s no surprise that social media has been a huge platform for either strangers or other kids to bully others online. I remember it happening to me and to several people I knew. Because others are hidden behind a screen, they feel as if they have more freedom to be mean to others; therefore, creating boundaries can be a safe way of keeping them away from the dark side of social media.
Online Scams
As mentioned slightly above, social media can be a gateway for not only bullies but also strangers who are looking to prey for the naive in hopes of a reward. Therefore, education, security, privacy and not talking-to-strangers and boundaries need to be in place to save your kids and your own bank account from the risk of theft and bank fraud.
In this article I have put together some tips on how you can go about it, as well as methods by which you can make your and your kid’s time on social media more safer.
How To Set Healthy Boundaries For Your Kids
Allow Age Appropriate Platforms
First things first, banning your kids from social media as a whole isn’t realistic and more than likely, they would go on to access platforms they aren’t advised to be on. For example, while Facebook and Instagram only allow people over the age of 13, there are still measures you can put in place or conditions for them being on those platforms.
This could include spending up to 2 hours a week on it, having private settings and not accepting friend requests from people you don’t know in person. From what I remember as a young person on Facebook, people who don’t know will attempt to connect you and talk to you.
Setting those boundaries around that platform will allow them to engage with friends and be on age-appropriate platforms. It will also keep them protected from strangers trying to interact with your kids. The time limit also allows them to not get fixated on this false reality, which is social media.
Establish Device Free Zones
Creating healthy boundaries with social media also means that you have to lead by example so having device-free zones or activities and sticking to those rules yourself as well will allow them to form a healthy relationship with social media. These zones could be their bedroom, the dining room and activities could mean any time you are spending some family bonding time.
Ideally, creating these boundaries before they get a device will be much easier, as this creates a routine they can stick to from the get-go.
Have Open Conversations
It can be hard to establish a middle ground between protecting your kids and being too paranoid and overprotective. That being said, having open conversations about the reasoning behind these boundaries will stop them from thinking you are just being strictjust for the sake of it. Provide them with the knowledge to protect themselves online from things that they might not have realised were a threat.
Therefore, encourage open communication and explain why there should be boundaries. They might be more inclined to respect those boundaries if they understand the threats of social media.
Time Limits and Content Monitoring
This might be something that was established in the early days of social media use, but it is completely dependent on what you think is appropriate. My mother never monitored my internet use but she taught me about staying safe online.
Time limits are great in terms of ensuring this doesn’t mess with their sleeping patterns and that they are not scrolling through social media throughout the night.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to establishing healthy boundaries for your kid’s use of social media it all boils down to education, open communication, limits and trust. Ensure that you are not only taking the necessary precautions but also building a trust with your children so that they feel encouraged to come and talk to you if something happens.
