In today's digital age, social media is not something foreign, even for kids, from Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, to Twitter. Not a few parents who to make social media accounts for their children since the baby.
Although it can strengthen the social relationships of children with friends or family, but social media also has a negative impact. For example, children who become bully targets when uploading photos on social media or viewing posts that do not fit with the age of the child.
In order to keep children safe and smart using social media, parents need to provide clues and signs.
- Live in the real world
You want children to live a life full of meaning in the real world. "Life must be lived real, not behind the scenes," says Laurie Wolk, author of Girls Just Wanna Have Likes: How to Raise Confident Girls in the Face of Social Media Madness.
Despite having many followers and every post always gets thousands of "like", do not ignore the real life. "We're raising adults here, so let's teach them the communication skills to become adults in 'real life'," Wolk suggests.
He said to practice communicating with children, can start by holding family meetings, sharing experiences today, and making ordinary kids talk about themselves. Plus, children and parents can also ask each other questions.
- Everyone is showing off
On social media, everyone is showing off their perfect-looking lives. Wolk reminded parents to explain to the children that there is no perfect life.
"Nothing-even money, fame, or massive followers in social media-will make our lives run perfectly all the time." Know this, Expect, Move, "he advised.
When you talk to them, tell them about the horrible effects that social media has on the brain.
- Think before handing out
Before distributing to social media, Wolk recommends parents to place these questions near children's computers or in the refrigerator, which will encourage children to ask themselves about post activities: Is this true? Is this helpful? Is that good? Will it cause drama? Am I posting this for the right reasons?
The "Think B4 U Post" paper can also contain questions like, "Does your grandma want to see this?"; "Is that yours to share?" and "Will you share / say that in real life?" If all those questions have been answered, then they can be shared.
- Social media is not a face-to-face substitute
Sure, your kids may feel connected to their peers, but the glass screen is not a substitute for people's connections. "Make sure your children know how to show their sincerity directly, entertain someone by being there for them, and explain something serious with their actual voice and body language, not through emoji," Wolk said.
- If you do not have something to say
If you do not have something good to say, do not say anything. "You can not hear someone's tone of voice or see their facial expressions on social media, so it's easier to hurt feelings (or make you feel sick)," Wolk said.
- Nothing private, even if you think so
Emphasize to children that nothing they put into social media is personal. It does not matter how secure their privacy settings are. Stay away from uploading phone numbers, addresses, full names, or other personal identities.
- Calm down before posting or responding
Teach children not to post things in a high emotional state. "If you're passing through a stressful school week, problems with friends, parenting problems, or not feeling the best, do not turn to technology to talk or just throw away the hot steam," Wolk said.Social media should not be treated like a diary.
- Feel and understand
Feelings need to be felt, not avoided as hard as anything. "If we allow our children to distract themselves with Netflix, Music.ly, Snapchat, Instagram, or the latest app-based games to avoid dealing with a hard life, then when things get tough they will not get over it , "Wolk said.
- Time pauses from the internet
"Children and adults alike need time to stop the internet," Wolk advises, "We need time to uproot and replenish our mental and emotional resources." Children need to be able to reflect and restore their day before good social media.