Is Social Media Dangerous?
Is Social Media Dangerous?
How can we protect our children?
In this newsletter, we provide you with notes on #safesocial, an episode of Parenting Our Future with Robbin McManne.
Robbin McManne is a certified parent coach, author, podcaster, and speaker. Her guest, Bailey Parnell, is an expert in keeping our kids safe on social media and one of Canada’s top 100 most powerful women.
Save time and read our notes on how to practice #safesocial.
Topics Covered in this Summary
Is Social Media Dangerous?
Setting Appropriate Boundaries Around Social Media Use
Useful Apps for Parents
Important Things to Remember
Is Social Media Dangerous?
Risky behaviors are those that potentially expose people to harm.
Take driving as an example. It is a dangerous and risky activity that can put you and others in harms way without the proper training. Therefore, you are required to prove that you know the rules of the road before you are given a drivers licence.
Social media is also risky behavior and should be treated as such. You expose yourself to potential harm when you are active in these spaces. This can include stress, depression, or even harassment.
If we apply a similar lens to social media, what questions should we be asking: What would be the right age to use a device? What are the pros and cons?
Some negative effects of social media can include:
Social Comparison
The Social Comparison Theory is the belief that media influence, social status, and other forms of competitiveness can affect self-esteem and mood.
For example, looking at a picture on social media of someone else's happy family and wondering why yours doesn't look like that.
Comparison is the thief of joy, and social media tends to control these thoughts and potentially your behavior.
Online Harassment
Online harassment happens among young people in general, but as a young woman, there's a 95% likelihood that you will be harassed online.
Bailey Parnell explains: When she asked an undergrad class how many of them had been harassed (it could be cyber-stalking or even a light form of harassment), 95% to 100% of the presenting women raised their hands.
It is now the case that it not enough to keep our children safe in the outside world, but also online.
Setting Appropriate Boundaries Around Social Media Use
A few examples of conversations you could have with your children:
You could tell a 9-year-old that social media is prohibited until age 14. In the meantime, you could model how to use it safely and appropriately.
When they're 12, you may tell them, "Your friends could be using social media, but I'm just not comfortable with you on it yet, and it's my job to keep you safe and healthy.’’
At 14, you may say, ‘’We agree that you can use Instagram or TikTok, but there are restrictions. Private account, no phones during meals, and screen time limits.’’
When they’re 18 or older, you could speak to them as a peer. For instance, they open up about their friend posting an inappropriate photo. Instead of judgment, approach them curiously and ask questions.
Useful Apps for Parents
The following apps can help moderate social media use for your kids:
Net Nanny can be used to monitor and control children’s computer and phone activity.
Kindly - An Anti-Cyberbullying gives teens a chance to think about hurtful messages before posting to prevent cyber-bullying.
Life360 syncs your family into a private, invite-only circle, it allows family members to see each other's most recent locations, and notifies you when your family enters and exits specific locations.
If you don't want your children to visit particular websites, software such as these discussed above can help you keep your children safe online.
Important Things to Remember
Being a safe place for your children is one of the most important things you can do for them. Without judgment, criticism, and labeling.
Our kids’ minds are still developing, and we should be a figure of stability for them.
Useful Links
Follow All Star Parent on Facebook
Follow All Star Parent on Instagram
Follow All Star Parent on Twitter
Listen to the original podcast
Visit the Parenting Our Future website