You have likely heard the concerns, read the articles, and seen the news: social media could be negatively impacting your child. So, what do you do now? You handed your child a phone a while back, and now prying it from their grasp seems nearly impossible. You want to protect them, but it’s a constant battle against an industry with endless resources dedicated to keeping your child online for as long as possible. You may feel overwhelmed, guilty, exhausted, or even angry. I understand. With 25 years of research on technology and adolescent mental health under my belt, I have presented our findings to parents, schools, lawmakers, and even at prestigious events like the World Economic Forum in Davos. I am well aware of the dangers and benefits of social media, but I am also a parent of two teenagers. I talk about this research all day, and then I come home to face the same struggles. It’s challenging to raise a child today when tech giants wield as much influence as parents in shaping our kids’ behavior. But they haven’t won yet. You are still your child’s parent, and you still hold significant power. Here are four simple steps you can take today to help protect your children from the risks of social media. And remember, strength lies in unity – consider implementing these strategies with other parents to create a united front.
1. Establish tech-free zones in your child’s life: Your child may not admit it, but research shows that they actually want boundaries on their device usage. Consider setting up parental controls to enforce downtime or sleep time on your child’s device. Encourage tech-free playdates, sleepovers, and extracurricular activities. Ensure that devices are turned off and put away at a reasonable time each night to prioritize sleep, essential for adolescent brain development. Advocate for phones to be kept out of the classroom during instructional time.
2. Visit the app store with your child: Educate your child about the data being collected by social media platforms and encourage them to make informed decisions about their online activities.
3. Foster open communication: Discuss the harmful content your child may encounter online and empower them to make responsible choices.
4. Lead by example: Be mindful of your own device usage and prioritize genuine human connections by engaging in tech-free activities with your family. Share your struggles and coping mechanisms with your child to demonstrate the importance of balancing technology with real-life interactions.
By taking these steps, we can work together as parents to create a healthier digital environment for our children.