How are my kids interacting with social media daily?
Trends are great until we fall for them.
Social media has become a cornerstone of life for many children and teens, but unfortunately, it can also be a source of anxiety, stress and poor self-image. For parents, helping their kids navigate these complicated issues can be challenging. With the right understanding and guidance, however, you can help your child develop healthy relationships with social media and build a positive self-image in the process.
Here are some tips for talking to your children about self-image concerns on social media
- Monitor their online activity: It’s important to make sure that you know what your child is doing online. This means monitoring their accounts, activity levels, who they’re interacting with, etc. Open dialogue is key here; let them know why you’re monitoring them (to help protect them from any potential harm) rather than simply policing them.
- Set clear boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries around social media usage is essential – particularly if your child is young. Determine how much time they are allowed to spend online each day and limit notifications or apps if necessary. Let them know why this is important in terms of maintaining healthy mental health habits too.
- Talk about body image: Discuss what constitutes a ‘normal’ body shape or size with your child - focusing on health rather than appearance - as well as any pressures they may be feeling from messages in the media or on social media platforms themselves. Validate their feelings and remind them that everyone's body is different and beautiful in its own way!
- Encourage resilience when it comes to criticism: The cyberbullying epidemic has become increasingly visible in recent years; prepare your child for potential criticism by reminding them that not everyone will like everything they do online – teach them how to manage criticism positively by forming healthy boundaries between themselves and any negative comments directed at them online.
- Be a role model: Practising healthy digital habits yourself will help set an example for your children – show them that there’s no need to compare ourselves to others or strive for perfection online by not engaging in troll culture yourself! Set up ground rules about things like sharing pictures or private information as well so that you’re both following the same guidelines when it comes to social media usage within the family home.
With these tips in mind, parents should find it easier to talk to their children about sensitive topics like self-image issues on social media – helping ensure all family members stay safe and informed while navigating this tricky terrain!
For kids: Learn about maintaining a positive self-image with Digital Matters
How do the images and videos we see online impact how we feel about ourselves? Explore how these things affect our self-image to see where we can go to find support. Then, discover how to make positive choices through the Once Upon Online story, Under Pressure. Check out the free lesson here.
To help your child learn more about online safety and security, visit Digital Matters.