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5 Tips To Introducing Your Kids To Social Media

Family & Parenting 5 Tips To  Introducing Your Kids To Social Media
JAN 22, 2019 LISTEN

Whether you like it or now, as you read this post, your kid is probably already fixating on Instagram or Facebook, or even Snapchat. It is important as parents to take your kids through some pep talk about social media before they even create an account. Parents avoid this most crucial part of social media parenting. Parenting is not just about getting them the best clothing or balanced diets or sorting out their bills, it would also take some supplementary training, hence why you need to be around them to influence how they use social media positively.

Don't be disappointed when you realize your kids prefer to be on social media platforms than visit that baseball game. It has gotten to the obsession point. I think its time you retrace your steps.

So without wasting much time, Here are a couple of tips to kick you off with regards to encouraging your kid through good social media habits, especially at an early age:

1. Be Their First Point of Contact
Remember that regardless of whether kids aren't on social media platforms, media, many are online from an early age. Did you even know that some kids visit the café after school? Have you wondered, what they could be possibly surfing on the internet? As far as I can tell, kids aren't being educated about Instagram and other internet based apps from their parents– they are gaining learning from friends, peers, siblings, and other influencers– so it is imperative that guardians play an active role in empowering discussions among their children. Better late than never!

2. You Need An Effective Plan
I entreat parents or guardian to take a position of interest and ask open-ended questions to enable kids to distinguish for what reason they need to join social media platforms, what they think a positive ordeal on these platforms would look like for them, and who they could swing to if something feels awkward and doesn't go as planned. Doing as such enables them to proactively consider how they would characterize and make a positive online presence. Kids have a lot on their minds and they think differently from adults. Talking to them about these things will enable you to offer the required help and from a more positive perspective. Talk to your kids…engage them.

3. Make Privacy Your No. 1 Priority
Many people don't generally know that they can make their social media accounts private. Turning your record on private mode implies that only approved followers or friends can view, remark, and like your content. This could keep your kid's close to home and prevent their more personal information from winding up in the wrong hands. If your child is incapable of noticing this section on their profiles, you can take the initiative of privatizing their account…just to be certain.

4. Set Time Limits On Social Media Platforms

Setting a time limit is a key to ensuring your kids do not become obsessed with these platforms. Instill the power of self-control through discipline in them for a promising social media lifestyle. You can work together with your kids to decide a suitable measure of time they ought to spend on these platforms. Regardless of whether it's 15 to 30 minutes max. For instance, with Instagram, you can likewise take advantage of the Instagram Activity Dashboard, which gives you a chance to control use and moreover, limit distractions like pop-up messages.

5.Set Good Examples For Them To Follow
Kids are very good at copying things they see their parents doing. They are always learning by example as they observe you a lot. So it is needful for you as parents or guardian to ensure that you practice what you preach to them. By practicing positive online habits yourself, you're setting up your kids for a positive, fulfilling, and a wonderful social media experience.

When you take these tips into consideration, you will realize that you did not only help them out of a bad social media experience, but you also won their complete trust about everything and anything. Spending time with kids pays a lot.

Image source: playgroundprofesssionals.com

Catherine Forson Agbo
Catherine Forson Agbo

ContributorPage: CatherineForsonAgbo

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