Why You Should Teach Your Children Good Social Media Habits Early

Recently there have been a lot of kids who have and are active on their social media accounts, making content and posting themselves and their lives. While there has been quite a lot of discourse on the topic, with some people not thinking it to be a big deal, and others thinking it to be concerning. But the fact remains that kids are still on these apps and using them to their full extent. So considering this, parents should teach their children good social media habits, not just to make sure they are not letting it affect them too much, but also to protect them from the dangers of unrestricted internet access.

What Are Some Dangers of Social Media for Kids?Parents must understand how necessary their intervention is at these points, it is to do with their kid’s safety and their well-being. They must speak openly about these things to their children and tell them to come to them when anything goes wrong! They can get cyberbulliedThis is a really big concern when it comes to children on social media. While the words may not have been directed towards them, they can internalize a lot of things that are being said. Children can be exposed to cyberbullying, including hurtful comments, threats, and harassment. Cyberbullying can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and even depression for many children even if they do not understand it is these things. The presence of online predatorsEven though many kids are made aware of it, they do not understand the severity of the situation and what impact it can have on them. Children may encounter online predators who may attempt to do dangerous things to them like grooming them or manipulate them into doing things they may not want. Exposure to inappropriate contentThere is a lot of content on social media that is not ok for children to see. Children may accidentally see something explicit or some violent content that may scare them or make them think this is normal behaviour. Children cannot make the difference between ok behaviour and inappropriate behaviour when it comes to things on social media. Exposure to such content can have a negative impact on children's development and understanding of the world. Privacy concerns about their activitiesChildren may not fully understand what bad things may happen due to them sharing personal information online. They must understand how these things can have real concerns like giving their address on social media can lead dangerous people to their doors, and cause theft. Data can be leaked, which can not only expose children's personal information but lead to unsavoury situations as well. These things may sound scary, but children need to understand that their safety can’t be toyed with at any cost. Negative impact on their mental healthSocial media is known for making up unrealistic expectations about appearance and lifestyle. When they see their friends going to expensive places or having luxury items that can make them think they are less than just because they do not have those things. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is something that happens to many children although they get over it quickly, sometimes it can lead to anxiety and stress, as children may feel pressure to constantly be online. They will feel jealousy and anger towards their own life, making them feel small and insignificant.