Everyone’s talking about and
on social media – posting selfies on Instagram, tweeting opinions in 140
characters, liking and sharing statuses and videos on Facebook and building
professional networks on LinkedIn – we seem to do everything with one eye
cocked on social networks. Why should kids be any different? They come with
their share of sociability after all, and a need to talk about everything they
see and experience, so it’s natural that your child should be curious about
whatever social network happens to be currently popular among his or her friends
and school mates. As our family lives are affected by social media, we need to know more about it.
Networking for Kids – The Need for Vigilance
More than 70% of tweens and
teens below 17 are active social networkers and more than 5 million Facebook
users are not yet 10. These statistics strike terror into the heart of the bravest
parents and rightly so. Toddlers with Twitter handles may be cute but most
children are poorly equipped to deal with the predators, stalkers, pedophiles
and cyber bullies that populate the underbelly of the virtual world. Burying
your head in the sand and refusing to recognize the dangers of social
networking simply don’t work. Here are 3 important tips you can use to make it
a safe, age-appropriate and pleasant experience for your child.
1. Allow them
to explore kid-friendly websites
Just because they’re under 13 doesn’t mean you should
bar your kids from exploring the virtual world. There are plenty of kid-centric
websites that offer fun educational games and Role Playing Games where players can chat and interact with
like-minded peers. These websites are designed to keep kids safe by blocking
the exchange of personal information, inappropriate language and real life
contexts – all potential sources of danger your child will definitely encounter
on social networking sites meant for adults. Just make sure you do your
research before allowing him to sign up. Steering your child in the right
direction is as important as steering him away from the wrong one.
2. Set up
limited accessibility
Allowing your child to join social networking sites
is fine. What is NOT fine is letting him have unlimited, unsupervised access to
social media. Too much screen time can be detrimental to schoolwork, hobbies,
real life friendships and family ties. How much is too much? 30-45 minutes a
day is more than enough for teens, tweens and younger children. Set and manage
the websites your child can visit; monitor his requests and set appropriate
restrictions on games and apps. If he uses mobile devices, install parental control aps. Some social media sites have child-friendly privacy
settings but you can’t afford to let your guard down.
3. Make them
aware of online dangers
Social networking is a great way for kids to
connect with family, friends and class mates. But cyber bullying, identity theft and stranger danger are very real threats that come with the territory.
And sometimes, online “friends” can be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Teach your
child to take these precautions when he’s online:
· Accept friend requests ONLY from people he knows in the real world
· Upload ONLY appropriate pictures, videos and posts
· Report bullies immediately
4. Play Multi Player
Games with them
A good way to ease them into the online world is to
play along with them on Multi Player Games or Cooperative Games. There are
special “Parent” Accounts which can be used. A good thing to do is check the
age suitability of the content on a game. Games which involve cooperation in
playing, mirror real life and builds a sense of sharing. Inbuilt controls in
games, allows parents to make sure that they are around while it’s played. Sites
like Common Sense Media have game reviews which are very useful.
The most important
precaution you can take to keep your child safe on social media is to talk to
him about it; the earlier the better!
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