Does she use social media? (probably)
Social media has become part of the fabric of youth culture in today’s society. In fact, roughly two-thirds of teenagers report they use Facebook daily, 76% of teens report using Instagram, 75% report using Snapchat. At a time when teenage girls are trying to find their identity and a sense of belonging, the “like” button carries with it a lot of pressure to post content that gets attention, which may lead the teen in a direction she never intended. Cyberbullying and online predators have also become a serious concern in our society. Parents are an integral part of guiding their teenage daughters to stay safe while engaging in social media activity. So, how do parents set appropriate boundaries and monitor their teenage daughter’s usage of social media?
You are her parent, now be her friend
Being friends with your teenage daughter on social media will serve many purposes. It will encourage your teen to think through what she is posting online in addition to allowing you to see what others are posting on their profile. It is important to remember to address important matters face-to-face instead of on social media in front of their friends.
Having access to their username and password may be warranted as they can still post status updates that you cannot see, even if you are their “friend.” Software is also available for concerned parents to monitor social media and online activity. Some other important tips to remember about social media and your teenage daughter:
- Model good social media usage. Establish times during the day that are technology free for everyone in the home, not just your teen, and use caution when posting on social media.
- Monitor the photos she posts on social media. Let her know that once photos are posted online, they are there forever and can be shared with people she does not know and did not intend to see the photos.
- Restrict privacy settings so content is visible to only a close circle of friends.
Caution your teenage daughter on how public and accessible social media is and to never post contact information (address, phone number). - Warn your daughter that people are not always who they appear to be online. Pictures can be used by anyone online, making it easier for someone with dishonest intentions to appear to be someone they are not in order to gain their trust.
- Encourage her to only post things she would want parents and the Lord to see.
- Set an expectation that she never meet up with someone she meets online unless she gets your permission.
- Let your daughter know that it is important to come talk to you if she is being told hurtful, inappropriate, or threatening things online.
- Keep lines of communication open. Spend time with your daughter to maintain the relationship so that she feels comfortable turning to you when she needs help navigating social media issues.
- Having teens sign a contract can be a good idea to make expectations and boundaries clear for both parties.
- Set up consequences ahead of time if any boundary is crossed and stick to them.
Safety First
While social media is here to stay and is a significant point of connection for teens, it is important for parents to provide guidance and to set boundaries on usage to keep their daughters safe. You teach them to drive safely, why not teach them to use social media safely?
Sources:
Teens and technology-A guide for parents. (n.d.) Retrieved from momlifetoday.com
Handling social media with your kids (2017). Retrieved from cbn.com
Survey finds US teens upped daily Facebook usage in 2016 (2017). Retrieved from emarketer.com