Social media can prove irresistible to tech-savvy kids who want to stay connected to their friends. Yet it seems like almost every day, the news reports predators stalking children through social media. The Miriam Hospital’s Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine 2013 study found that the use of social media can even make a child’s grades drop. A degree in criminal justice could lead to a career protecting children in your community from the dangers of social media, but you can begin today by protecting your own children.
1. Don’t Share Contact Information
You might think that your children have the common sense not to share their home address and phone numbers with strangers, but predators can be deceptive, befriending and engaging children in friendly conversation before asking for the information. Sit down with your kids and tell them that posting contact information online is completely off limits, and that if they’re ever asked to provide it, no matter how much they trust the person asking, they should show you the request immediately.
2. Don’t Post Overly Personal Content
Even if your children know not to give out their address or phone numbers, they may be in the habit of posting overly personal content without batting an eye. It is one thing to post information about movies, shows, and other interests, but children who are in the habit of sharing their every thought are in danger of giving away too much. Predators could take note of information like family members’ names and then approach a child with a fake message naming someone in the family.
Even with the dangerous issue of predators aside, posting overly personal information or photographs could backfire in the future when your children are applying for colleges and jobs. For example, a picture of your teen partying could look unprofessional to a prospective college or employer.
3. Don’t Disclose Location
Tell your children they can discuss where they have been on social media, but they should never post their current location or mention a place they are heading to. Predators in the area who have been cyber stalking your children could use this information to find them. For example, it’s all right for them to post that they went to a restaurant for dinner once they’re home, but they shouldn’t post that they’re currently alone at a café or are soon going to the movies.
Even when it comes to posting where children have been, they should proceed with caution. If they have regular band practice after school, for example, a predator could show up for the following session based on a post about the practice the same day each week.
4. Limit Online Time
Once your children know what they ought to avoid posting online, the next best way to keep your kids from getting too focused on social media is to limit their online time. Limit personal computer time to no more than an hour per day, and if your children need to use a computer for schoolwork, check on them every so often to make sure they’re not playing on social media. Ask that kids turn off their smartphones when they go to bed, and confiscate the phones at bed time if need be.
5. Participate in Family Activities
Limiting your children’s online time and monitoring their computer use can lead to some tension between you and your children, and some children will do their best to get on social media when you’re not looking. An even more effective way to limit your children’s social media time is to insist on daily family time. Some fun family activities include:
- Enjoying dinner together
- Going for an after-dinner run around the block or in the park
- Going shopping
- Seeing a movie
- Playing video or board games
During family time, everyone — including the adults — should shut off their cell phones and focus on one another. Lead by example and give your family your full attention.
Encourage your children to use social media wisely not only by telling them not to share contact information, overly personal information, photos and locations where they are or will be, but also by limiting their daily social media time and encouraging them to participate in family activities. Preventing the potential negative consequences of social media use is partly education and partly becoming more involved in your children’s lives.
About the Author: Duane Hanson is a contributing writer and high school counselor. He recommends that parents play an active role in their children’s experience with social media.
ANN*H says
These are all good points for computer usage for kids and teens. to many young girls are giving out info online to guys they dont know and it ends up horribly wrong. I agree no one should post where they are or personal info of any sort you dont want others to see
Kate F. says
These are good tips. There are too many kids that don’t use social media wisely.
June M. says
Great tips for children. Most kids don’t use social media wisely or safely, you really need to supervise them closely 🙂
Tammy S says
These great tips! These are great tips for both kids and adults. That’s why it’s so important for parents to talk with their kids about being smart online.
Kathy Lane says
I have 2 grandaughters that live with me and my husband and it so important to keep a check on what they are doing on the internet,and on their phones.You hear about a lot things that go on with kids any more when they get caught up in all these social activities.Thanks for sharing!
Scarlet says
Great tips! I think this is getting more and more important as kids are online earlier.
Karla says
6) Don’t take nude pictures. Nude pictures always have a way of leaking on to the internet one way or another.
Rebecca Xavier says
These are great tips. It is very easy to get caught up in social media. This applies to adults as well.