Social media is a minefield of danger for teens, exposing them to extreme content such as anorexic “thinspiration,” drug culture, hardcore pornography, suicide glorification, and even predatory grooming. . Algorithms push the darkest parts of the internet onto your screen, sometimes with devastating results.
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Amid increasing pressure from Washington, D.C., and outraged parents, social media platforms are finally taking action. They are rolling out long-awaited tools to help monitor children’s online activities, and what teens are exposed to so parents and guardians can be mindful of their mental health and safety. It allows you to control.
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Know your Instagram settings
From the Family Center, you can see how much time your child spends on apps (even though you can’t see what they’re doing). You can set daily time limits and set times for the app to go into “sleep mode” so you don’t receive notifications.
It starts with an invitation. In the Instagram app, tap your profile picture (bottom right), then tap the menu button (top right). family center To connect with your teen. You can also do it from your own side if you choose. director From the same menu.
This illustrated photo shows social media applications on an iPhone screen (Photo credit: Jaap Arrians/NurPhoto, Getty Images)
Two-way road: You can also set strict rules and have Instagram warn you when your child exceeds the limit. They may also ask for more time to use the app, so be prepared to negotiate.
Put “you” on YouTube
You can’t see what your kids are watching on YouTube or set time limits, but can Get alerts when you start a live stream or upload a new video. You can also see who has subscribed and commented on your videos.
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Please connect: Open the YouTube app on your phone, tap your profile picture (bottom right), then tap the gear icon (top right). family center. tap invite teens Ask them to manage your child’s YouTube account.
Keep communicating: This won’t work unless you talk to your teen about it and explain how it keeps them safe. They can kick you out of your account at any time, so you may need to rely on your diplomatic skills quite regularly.
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This photo illustration shows the Snapchat logo on an iPhone in the Apple App Store. (Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Image/LightRocket, Getty Images)
Limit chat on Snapchat
You can’t see your teen’s Snapchat messages or private photos or videos (which is probably for the best), but you can see who they’re friends with and who they’ve chatted with the most in the past seven days. Masu.
Team up with your teenager: Make sure you’re friends with your teen through the Snapchat app on your phone. Next, tap your profile picture (top left), then tap the Settings gear icon (top right). family center Set up a link from parent to child.
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For even more control: There’s also a toggle switch to restrict teens’ access to content labeled as “sensitive” in Stories and the Spotlight portion of Snapchat. Additionally, you can disable your teen’s access to AI bots within Snapchat.
Action plan for parents
Remember when you had a fake driver’s license or told little lies to get what you wanted? Kids have a way of getting around parental controls, and when signing up Know how to spin the birth year wheel and get around age restrictions.
- I have a passcode for my phone: You need access to everything, all the time. If you’re paying for the phone, make this non-negotiable. Knowing that your child can check even if you don’t is a good deterrent to risky behavior.
- Set limits. Use built-in app controls to monitor how much time you spend on apps, and tools like content filters to limit exposure to inappropriate content.
- “Friend” or “Follow”: Stay connected on social media and see their circles and interactions. Without open dialogue, they will find ways around you.
- Learn about “Finsta”: “Finsta” is a slang term for a fake Instagram account, which more than 50% of high school students have. This is a space where children can post their photos and opinions without filters.
Instagram logo on a cell phone in Boston, October 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)
talk to your child
I have been open and honest with my son from a young age about the dangers of social media and the internet. I didn’t do it to scare him, he did it to explain why he had certain rules in place. know why It felt like we were on the same team. If you need help, please contact us Free technology deals for kids.
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