Most young people will want to join social media at some point. But how do you know if your child is ready? Here is what to consider:
What are the potential risks of social media?
Social media can provide entertainment and opportunities for socialising but it also comes with potential risks, such as:
- Inappropriate content: children may come across upsetting or harmful content, including sexual or violent material.
- Over-sharing: social media encourages sharing and commenting. Young people may comment or share things they wish they hadn’t, or what they’ve shared may be shared wider than intended.
- Contact from offenders: not everyone is who they say they are online, some adults use social media to target young people. They may pretend to be someone they are not, like another young person, in order to harm them.
What to consider
Minimum age requirements
Most social media platforms require users to be at least 13 years old. This doesn’t mean that as soon as your child is 13, they will be ready. Every child is different. Think about their age, maturity and emotional development before they join social media.
Social and emotional maturity
Ask yourself:
- How they would respond to disagreements or mean comments?
- Would they understand who could see what they share?
- Would they come to you if something happened that made them feel worried or uncomfortable?
If your child struggles with peer pressure or gets very upset by negative experiences, they may not be ready yet.
How to support your child
If you decide your child is ready, here are some ways to help them get started more safely.
1. Set it up together
Agree a platform together. Help them set up their account and go through privacy settings. Talk about fake profiles, online behaviour and what good friendships look like online.
2. Make an agreement
Agree on: Who they can be friends with, what they can post, how often they can use it, and how you’ll supervise their activity. Some parents follow their child’s account or do regular check-ins together.
3. Talk about relationships
Help your child understand what healthy relationships look like online. Remind them they should feel safe, respected and happy – and never pressured or controlled.
4. Know how to report and get help
Make sure your child knows how to report on the app and that they can talk to you about anything that worries them,