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Once upon a time, communication between friends was primarily done using home phones or get-togethers where parents could closely monitor their children. Today, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets are the primary tools that children use to communicate – and parents are often left in the dark. As social networking sites became more prominent, they changed the nature of parenting, and parents must recognize the divide between safety and boundaries in the Facebook Era.
Internet browsing and social networking are paramount in today’s society, and children should be able to engage in the digital age. At the same time, parents are equally entitled to look out for their children’s digital safety. However, banning children from using the internet in today’s environment means they will find ways around the ban and log on anyway. Choosing to ignore children’s yearning for digital content means they will likely access inappropriate sites and content, because they haven’t learned about internet security.
One of the ways to teach children about internet security is to join them in setting up their social media accounts. Sue Blaney, an author and active teen parenting blogger, says parents who work with their kids to setup accounts means they will develop a mutual relationship of trust regarding responsible social media usage.
“Ask your son to show you his favorite games, or ask your daughter to share her favorite sites, videos or activities. This can be a pleasant way to engage with your teenager and to learn from her.”
Blaney says this engagement means parents can monitor the photos their children are posting online, and teach the difference between appropriate and inappropriate content. Review their profile with them to ensure that they are not sharing any sensitive information. Parents can also help their children adjust their privacy settings so that only their friends can access their Facebook wall and profiles.
