Social media has lots of downsides and many parents will be inclined to help their child avoid it for as long as possible. So, while the idea of your child exploring social media might be daunting, if you can help them explore it more safely by discussing the dangers and positives with them, there are ways they themselves can be a force for good online.
Along with Internet Matters, we've come up with some potential benefits of young people using social media.
Cat Sandion: Hello, my name is Cat Sandion, and I am a TV presenter, a performer and, also, a mum! BBC Own It have partnered with Internet Matters, who are experts in ensuring parents and kids have the best online experiences, to share tips to help you and your child make the most of their digital world.
The idea of your child exploring social media might be daunting, but in this film we'll talk about how you can support your child to use social apps positively.
Title: Social media apps
Navigating the social media world can be a minefield for anyone, let alone your child. You're letting them loose, in a space where you're not present and can't monitor constantly, plus there's a huge number of people for your child to interact with. But there are benefits to letting them be in that world. Here are some key areas to consider.
Title: Connecting with others
Broadening connections can help your child gain an understanding of the world. They'll learn and appreciate different perspectives and have the opportunity to come into contact with a more diverse range of people.
Title: Friendships and bonding
Friendships have changed, with social media being a way for children to avoid feeling excluded from their peers. Allowing your child to use appropriate social media platforms can help to remove the barriers to building friendships, especially if your child has additional needs, as they can meet, maintain and bond with children all over the world.
Title: Supporting others
We often hear about the bad side of different social media platforms and their shortcomings. But it can also open up opportunities for your child by allowing them to offer support to friends who may be experiencing a particular issue and need someone to reach out to them.
Title: Being active about issues that affect them
Maybe you have a child who has a particular cause that is close to their heart. Well, social media can be a great tool to find out more about the issues that effect them, and they can participate in raising awareness. Who knows, they may just change the world!
Title: Talk to your child about social media
It's so important that you stay on top of your child's social media life. To know who they are connecting with, what platforms they're on and when they're socialising online, so you know they are safe. Remind them not to share any personal information about them and their family. You should also teach them what a good online friend looks like, in terms of respectful behaviour. And talk to them about what they think are good things to share online about their friends.
1. Connecting with others
Social media opens up a range of potential connections with new people.
Your child can gain an understanding of the world as they come to learn and appreciate different perspectives.
2. Friendships and bonding
Social media can help children feel included by their peers.
Appropriate social media platforms can help to remove barriers to building friendships as they can bond and maintain relationships with others all over the world.
Learn 5 things your child can do to help make the internet a better place.
And understand how to help them set up their devices safely.
3. Supporting one another
Social networks can open up opportunities for your child to offer support to their friends in difficult situations by checking in and offering messages of encouragement and support.
Read some advice for your child on what to do if a friend has posted something worrying online here.
4. Being active about issues
Social media can be a great tool for children to find out more about issues that affect them and raise awareness of them.
5. Supporting your child
It’s important to know who children are connecting with, what platforms they are on and when they are socialising online, so try and speak to them about their digital life. That way, you’ll know they are safe.
Remind them not to share personal information about them and their family and try to teach them what respectful online behaviour looks like.
Tips to help your child follow the ground rules for posting safely and respectfully online.
Further information
Internet Matters have a helpful social media advice hub for parents.
They have also designed an on-site tool that provides parents with personalised online safety advice to help support their children online.
Why not check out some of the other episodes in the series?
What games are your kids playing online? discussing how kids are gaming.
Originally published as part of Own It - the BBC's place children can find help, support and advice on how to live their best and safest online life.
Check out the CBBC Gaming Hub with your child to explore articles all about gaming, cool clips, and even games to play!
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