Raising teens in the age of social media

Social media use has changed dramatically over the last decade. People are now more connected than ever before and teenagers are right in the mix of it! There is an increasingly large number of teenagers using social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram – 71% of teens aged between 16 and 17 use social media every day. It’s not uncommon to see teens (or anyone) totally absorbed in checking their phone to see what friends have posted, commented or liked. It has become the way that teens stay connected and, as we all know, connecting with friends is integral to life as a teenager.

Whilst there are many positives to social media use, such as giving teens a sense of belonging and connection with their peers, there are some important things to consider as a parent. Here are 5 tips to help your teen be safe online and to have open communication with them about their use of social media:

Know what your kids are doing online – what sites are they on, what social media profiles have they set up, what are they posting online? Know the sites that your kids are using and become savvy in knowing your way around them. I know of many parents who have started their own profile as a way of connecting and keeping informed about what their kids are doing online.
Talk to them about what is and what isn’t appropriate to post. Images that they may be happy posting today, may not be helpful in the future when they are in the workforce. The amount of personal information kids put online increases as they get older, with 77% of 14-15 year olds posting personal information on social media. Teenagers may not always think through the consequences of what they are putting online, so this can be an important area to be mindful of and to chat to your teen about.
When teens are on social media frequently, it can become consuming and difficult for them to switch off mentally. We live in a society where people feel that they need to be connected to everyone all the time. Information is instant and young people can feel like they are missing out if they are not on social media. All this can leave teens (and adults) feeling that if they aren’t up to date on what is happening with their friends at all times on social media, that they are not connected. It can be difficult; however, setting boundaries around social media use at home can be helpful.
Talk to them about only being friends with people that they know. It is important that teens know the dangers of online use, cyber bullying and the importance of their information being private. The Australian Government eSafety website provides helpful information to parents and teens about online safety as well as tips on how to prevent and respond to issues. You can also check out our blog on helping teens deal with cyberbullying.
What their peers think about them is important for teenagers. They want their friends to like them and to be accepted. It has been said many times, but often people present their best on social media. They put pictures up that look great (with a filter that looks the best). As such, I have met many teens who compare their life to what they see presented on social media by their friends and it can leave them feeling down. There is a quote ‘don’t compare your behind the scenes to someone else’s highlights reel’. This can be what some kids (and adults) do. They look at their friends photos and think about how their life compares to what is presented in the picture, not realising that everyone has good times and bad times and that those pictures may not provide an accurate reflection of all aspects of a person’s life. This can be an important area to chat to your teen about, especially if they are feeling withdrawn or down about their relationships with peers. Acknowledge what they are feeling but support them to see social media for what it is – a great place to share experiences and connect with friends but not every part of people’s life is always represented.