Kids nowadays have easy access to smartphones and the Internet, especially post-pandemic when education shifted over to digital platforms. According to a recent study, teenagers spend around 7 hours and 22 minutes each day surfing social media.
Whether it’s watching a video on YouTube or scrolling up for Instagram reels, significant portions of content present on the Internet might not be right for your kids. In fact, such huge screen time has also been proven to impact your kid’s productivity, mental health, and real-life interactions.
Thus, it has become important for parents to monitor and limit their children’s social media use and encourage responsible digital use in them. This comprehensive article suggests some of the best tips on how parents can monitor their kids’ social media use.
5 Tips to Monitor and Limit Your Kids Social Media Use
To avail the benefits of social media, it is important to find the right balance for its limited usage and avoid any pitfalls these platforms might have for students. Here are a few effective ways every parent can use to keep their child safe from digital risks.
Encourage healthy habits.
What is the first thing you do in the morning after getting up? Possibly, check your Instagram account! It is a considerable fact that kids copy their parents. Therefore, instead of scrolling through your phone, model rules for yourself and your kids to start the day with a healthy breakfast, a quick stretch, or a morning walk. Modelling this routine will certainly help your child ease into the day without touching their mobile phones.
Besides, you might also set clear instructions and a time for browsing social media. For example, you might ask them to use their smartphones only after completing their school assignments or learning.
Use parental control apps
There are several parental control apps for both Android and iOS users that can help you set a time limit for social media use, block inappropriate apps and websites, or monitor your kid’s web activity. This is a great way to ensure your child doesn’t spend his entire time glued to his mobile screen.
Promote offline interactions.
In this digital age, real-life interactions have taken a backseat. Therefore, a great way to limit your kid’s social media use is to encourage them to play outdoors, engage in healthy conversations with family or friends, or even spend time on their hobbies, such as painting, music, etc.
You can even plan family game nights every weekend where everyone needs to put aside their smartphones and play some fun games and activities together. This will not only help limit your child’s digital use but also improve family bonding.
Teach digital literacy.
Digital literacy is a crucial aspect when it comes to making your little ones use social media responsibly. Thus, discuss with them topics such as cyberbullying, online scams, or privacy concerns to ensure they are completely aware of the potential risks of social media.
You can even discuss real-life incidents and the possible solutions for overcoming such concerns so that they know how to deal with such challenges if they ever come across them.
Communicating Openly
In the end, communication plays an important role when it comes to monitoring and modeling your child’s habits. For example, you can discuss with your little ones their online experience and any challenges they have come across during dinner or a night walk.
In this context, it is necessary to create an environment where your kids are comfortable sharing everything without getting afraid and supporting them with possible solutions to their problems.
