Ice bucket, Tide pods, powdered cinnamon. It seems there’s no end to the number of social media challenges, and teens everywhere are getting caught up in them.
Some are perfectly harmless, even a bit funny. But others could have serious potential implications. And let’s face it, most teens aren’t developed enough to understand the consequences of their actions. It’s like toddlerhood all over again, but with more influence. We still gotta keep ’em alive.
That’s where we really have to step up as parents and take the steps to mitigate the risks.
Open Lines of Communication
We have to talk to our kids about many different things, and social media usage should be at the top of the list these days. There are so many ways things can go wrong, from talking to the wrong people to falling victim to bullying (or being a bully), that it’s important to be upfront about your expectations.
Tell your teens you know there may be some confusing topics they come upon and keep the lines of communication open so they can talk to you about a subject or a challenge if they feel it’s wrong or it sparks their curiosity.
Set Boundaries
This is a difficult one because teens always love to push the boundaries, but it’s oh-so-necessary. If you allow teens to use TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or any of the other platforms, make sure they know the extent they can use it.
Set clear-cut rules and spell out the consequences (loss of social media, or worse, their phones) if they push those boundaries. When I first gave my daughter her phone, I made her sign a contract that spelled out violations and punishments. I also demanded unfettered access to her phone, which brings me to the next point.
Check up on Their Usage
You have the right to check your child’s phone anytime you want, and you should. But here’s a trick. Do it spontaneously. Keep them guessing when you’re coming for it. And, when you do, make sure they’re on it at the time so they can’t delete anything right in front of you.
Kids like to think they’re slick, teens especially. If they are up to no good, they’ll likely delete evidence before walking away from their phones, so if you ask for it while they’re using it, you’ll have a better chance of seeing what they’re really up to.
Keep up to Date on Challenges
If your kids are on social media, you should be, too. I have a rule in my house: my kids have to let me follow their profiles, or they can’t be on the platforms. This way, it’s easy for me to monitor what they are posting and/or sharing.
But, it also gives me another in: I get to see what the current trending challenges are, and that gives me time to formulate a game plan and talk to my child about the potential risks and consequences.
Encourage Critical Thinking
In the midst of discussing the challenges you’ve noticed, encourage your child to engage in critical thinking. If they say they want to participate, ask them to think of what the possible outcomes could be.
Encourage them to research, too. It will also help expand their mindset. But be clear that not everything on the internet is true and show them how to find reputable advice from reputable sites.
There are many dangers on the internet, and while we can’t always protect our children from every single incidence, no matter how much we’d like to, we can be proactive in warning them of the dangers awaiting them. This gives them the chance to go in with their eyes wide open and, hopefully, make smart decisions.
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This post was previously published on Wealth of Geeks and is republished on Medium.
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From The Good Men Project on Medium
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