10 tips to monitor your child’s social media use
10 Tips for Parents on Monitoring your Child's Social Media
Age Appropriate: Make sure your child is of the appropriate age for the social media site they want to use.
Privacy: Once your child has established a social media site, make sure that you go in and check their privacy settings. You want your child's privacy settings to be set to the highest form.
Monitoring Software: With the technology that we have today, there are kinds of software out there that allow parents to see the sites their child is visiting on the Internet. This is something to consider if you're interested in knowing which sites your child is visiting most often.
Set Rules: Just like anything else your child does, social media needs to have some rules and regulations. Rules can range from only being allowed on social media during certain times of the day or only being able to use the computer in certain areas of the house.
Keep Track: When it comes to your child posting pictures, makes sure you approve all pictures before your child posts them online. Also, make sure you are keeping track of the posts coming from people your child is following on social media.
Cell Phones: Technology has become so advanced that a child's cell phone is basically a computer. So, be sure to set rules and limits with the cell phone as well.
Reputation: Be sure to explain to your child that once something is on the web, it is always on the web. They should only be posting appropriate pictures and statuses, as well as following people that do the same.
Strangers: It is important to establish with your child that the same no talking to strangers rule still applies online. Also, let your child know that if a stranger contacts him or her, you need to know as soon as possible so you can handle the situation.
Stay Updated: Social media is always changing. Make sure to establish the rule that your child must ask your permission before signing up for a new social media site.
Role Model: Just like anything else you do, your children are always watching and learning by your example. It is important to show your child when it's appropriate to be on the phone and when it's not, and it's especially important that you are practicing what you preach when it comes to content viewed and content shared.
