Social media on kids (Last of two parts)
Whether we like it or not, the Internet, social media, and all related technology are here to stay. Just as we prepare our kids for life in the real world, we, as parents, should prepare them also for life in the online world.
That is why parents still need to be involved in this aspect of their kids’ lives and stay informed. That is also why kids need to be taught the proper, acceptable, and safe way to use social networking. Here are some recommendations:
No Underage Facebooking
Did you know that no one under the age of 13 is permitted to join Facebook? However, there is no real way for Facebook to truly enforce this, because anyone can lie about their year of birth.
You need to make sure that your child stays away from Facebook until 13 and until you are comfortable with him or her having an account. Facebook has put in place some measures, such as reporting an underage child, but ultimately, it should be the parent who has the say on when and if that account gets created.
Check Privacy Settings
Check that your kids’ privacy settings for the Internet and Facebook are set to the strictest levels. This not only protects the user but also the computer from the threat of viruses.
Use Filtering Software
There are software suites you can purchase to monitor your child’s internet usage; many even enable you to view the exact keys that were typed, time spent online, and all computer activity in general. This is a good venue for monitoring your kids’ activities online.
Create Ground Rules
If your kids are old enough to be using the computer on their own, they are old enough to understand that there are rules they need to abide by. Breaking them should not have a lesser consequence than if they broke a rule in the offline world. One example is for families to agree on ground rules are and to create a contract that all parties must sign. Parents and kids should have an open discussion about what these rules mean, and offer a good example of a contract.
Technology is neither good nor bad, but it isn’t neutral, either. The impact of technology on any young child depends not on the technology itself; rather, it is on how you educate them about it. Give your kids their “space†while periodically checking that they stay within agreed-upon boundaries.
Sources:
http://pediatrcis.aappublications.org
http://parentingtodayskids.com
http://fastcompany.com
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