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Keeping teens safe on social media: What parents should know to protect their kids


May 9, 2023

Source: APA

Photo Source: Unsplash,


A multipronged approach to social media management, including time limits, parental monitoring and supervision, and ongoing discussions about social media can help parents protect teens’

Monitor and discuss your child’s social media use. Parents should take a multipronged approach to social media management, including time limits, parental monitoring and supervision, and ongoing discussions about social media. As noted above, time limits can help teens with self-control and encourage moderate social media use. Limiting chat functions, especially among strangers, and limiting exposure to adult content is also recommended. Particularly for younger teens, parents may consider allowing social media use only when children are at home so that parents can keep a closer eye on their online activities.

In addition, adult monitoring of social media postings and content viewed is advised, especially in early adolescence. Unsupervised social media use is more likely to expose children to potentially harmful content and features of social media. Scientific studies demonstrate it is also critical for parents to engage in ongoing discussions with adolescents about how to use social media in safe and helpful ways. This is hard for many parents and caregivers since some of these platforms and their functions are unfamiliar to many adults today.

Watch for problematic social media use. Keep an eye out for signs your child may be using social media in unhealthy ways. Your child’s social media use might be causing problems if:

  • It interferes with their daily routines and commitments, such as school, work, friendships, and extracurricular activities.

  • They often choose social media over in-person social interactions.

  • It prevents them from getting at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night.

  • It prevents them from engaging in regular physical activity.

  • They keep using social media even when they express a desire to stop.

  • They experience strong cravings to check social media.

  • They lie or use deceptive behavior to spend time online.

How can such practices impact your health? How? Why?



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