All children feel a pressure to fit in. They don’t want to miss out on the fun, especially if they think their friends are online. In reality, some children will be using social media sites from a young age, but plenty won’t be. Some may say they are to try and fit in with their friends.
Be open about any concerns you have about particular social media platforms. Rather than arguing about screen time, discuss the problems and ask your child’s opinion about alternatives they could use to social media sites.
It can be hard to keep to the age limit restrictions if your child tells you all their friends are allowed to use a particular site. But every family is different and has their own rules. You can empathise with how your child feels and give a clear reason why they aren’t allowed, rather than saying, ‘because I said so.’
Most social media sites have a 13+ age rating, but remember, each platform sets their own rules. It’s worth checking each one to make sure you know if your child should be on there.
If you find they have set up an account and they’re underage, report it to the platform so they can delete it.
With younger children, you can find child-friendly alternatives to social media. For example, if your child wants to go on YouTube, you could download YouTube Kids instead. Then you know all the videos will be suitable for younger children. Remember, it’s still important to supervise them while they’re watching.
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