How Can Parents Help Teenagers And Social Media?

In today’s digitally driven world, the relationship between teenagers and social media has become an inseparable facet of adolescent life. As adolescents increasingly immerse themselves in virtual communities and digital interactions, the impact of social media on their development, behaviour, and well-being has garnered significant attention. Understanding the dynamics of this relationship is crucial, particularly for parents, who play a pivotal role in shaping their teenagers’ online experiences.

In this blog post, we delve into the intricate interplay between teenagers and social media, focusing on the critical role that parents play in guiding and supporting their children through the digital landscape. From the allure of social networking platforms to the potential pitfalls and challenges they present, we examine the multifaceted nature of teenagers and social media. More importantly, we explore how parental involvement can mitigate risks, foster responsible digital citizenship, and nurture healthy relationships with technology.

The Impact of Social Media on Teenagers

In recent years, social media has revolutionized the way teenagers communicate, interact, and perceive the world around them. Teenagers and social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and Twitter have become practically intertwined. Nowadays, teenagers have unprecedented access to information, entertainment, and social connections. While the benefits of social media are undeniable, its pervasive influence has also raised concerns about its impact on teenage development and well-being.

Positive Aspects

Connectivity: Social media enables teenagers to stay connected with friends and family, fostering relationships regardless of geographical barriers.
Information Sharing: Platforms like YouTube and Twitter offer valuable educational resources and news updates, expanding teenagers’ knowledge and awareness.
Creative Expression: Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok provide outlets for self-expression and creativity, allowing teenagers to showcase their talents and interests to a global audience.

Negative Effects

Cyberbullying: The anonymity and reach of social media can amplify instances of cyberbullying, leading to emotional distress and psychological harm among teenagers.
Exposure to Inappropriate Content: Teenagers may encounter explicit or harmful content on social media, including violence, substance abuse, and sexual content, which can negatively influence their perceptions and behaviours.
Addiction: Excessive use of social media can contribute to addiction-like behaviours, disrupting teenagers’ sleep patterns, productivity, and mental health.

As teenagers navigate the complex terrain of social media, they are exposed to a myriad of influences that shape their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours. Understanding both the positive and negative aspects of social media is crucial for parents seeking to support their teenagers in making informed decisions and maintaining a healthy balance between online engagement and real-world interactions.

What Can Parents Do?

So much of parents’ fear around social media use comes from this fear that their children’s lives will be ruined forever. And we see that a lot of times online, teenagers make poor decisions, and then their lives are affected in pretty dramatic ways. But it’s important to step back with kids and help them understand how they can be more intentional about how they’re spending their time online. And how can they align those with their values?

The smartphone was only really released about 10 or 12 years ago. So, all these apps are new for parents as well. Kids are going through some treacherous terrain when it comes to technology and social media use. But parents also need to understand that these teenagers are using technology for some positive things: learning, understanding, and communicating. When they understand this, they become more open to helping their teens in an objective way that protects them from some of the detrimental, draining, and dangerous things that may happen online or in real life.

How Can Parents Help Teenagers Navigate Social Media?

So, where do parents start? What can they do?

Awareness on teenagers and social media

The first is the idea of developing awareness. Learn what apps your kids are using. Learn how to use them. Download them on your phones. And then, you can come from a framework that’s more objective, rather than coming from a place of fear and telling kids they can never be on social media or use certain apps.

The truth is, teenagers and social media cannot be separated. It’s a connection that seems inseparable, with social media platforms serving as integral parts of teenagers’ daily lives. From staying connected with friends and peers to exploring interests and trends, social media has become the primary medium through which teenagers express themselves, share experiences, and interact with the world around them.

But by staying a step ahead by being on these platforms themselves, parents can monitor what their kids are up to. By actively participating on social media platforms, parents can gain valuable insights into their teenagers’ online activities. This proactive approach enables parents to stay informed about the content their children are exposed to, the interactions they engage in, and the overall digital environment they navigate.

Restrict phone usage

The second thing is creating opportunities for daily and weekly digital detoxes. Taking your kids’ phones and devices away at night can be a really easy way to do this. Otherwise, this feeling of always being online and always having to react can be draining. And kids don’t want that either. But they don’t know how to effectively self-regulate.

Make sure you’re using all those social media controls, so you’re only letting your kids stay on each app during the hours you set as long as you want them to. You can also control some of the content kids see online. Dig deep into those device controls or the social media platforms themselves, and use whatever type of restrictions you think are appropriate for you and your kids.

Watch out for problematic social media behaviour. Protect your children’s brains by making sure they are not staying online during times when they should be sleeping. This is because sleep time is critical for brain development. So on weeknights, make sure devices and social media stop at normal bedtimes. If their social media use interferes with daily routines and commitments, or if they choose social media over in-person social interactions, and if it prevents them from engaging in regular physical activities and more, those could be warning signs. Act quickly.

Help frame their values

Thirdly, help your teens figure out why. Find out why they’re constantly reaching out for their phone or why they’re taking so many photos when they’re with friends. The idea is to help your teens identify and understand what is energizing for them and what is draining.

They have a choice about how they spend their time online. They can opt into experiences or opt out. That can be an empowering message once you get through to them. Once you make them aware they have choices, they start making really good ones that are in line with their values. It’s really important, as science suggests, that you talk with your kids regularly about what they see on social media.

Help them understand how much misinformation and disinformation is out there. They must know that “likes” do not mean people agree with what they see. Even the profiles they see might not be real people. Help them to not make so many social comparisons with others, especially when the information they see might be curated or somehow filtered to look a lot better than it is in real life.

However, on the other hand, make sure that you, as a parent, are modelling healthy and adaptive social media use so they don’t accidentally learn bad habits from you about what you might unintentionally be doing in front of them.

The relationship between teenagers and social media is complex and multifaceted, with both positive and negative implications for adolescent development. While social media offers unparalleled opportunities for connectivity, information sharing, and creative expression, it also poses significant risks, such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and addiction.

By understanding the impact of social media on teenage behaviour and well-being, parents can implement effective strategies to promote responsible digital citizenship and mitigate potential risks. From setting clear boundaries and fostering open communication to leading by example and leveraging available resources, parents have the power to empower their teenagers to navigate social media with wisdom, resilience, and compassion.

We encourage you to download the Gradely app for more content and personalized resources tailored to your children’s educational needs. Together, let’s continue the conversation and work towards creating a safer, healthier, and more supportive online environment for our teenagers.

If you have any questions, feedback, or experiences to share, we’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below or reach out to us directly.

The Gradely Blog