Should You Let Your Child Join a Social Media Network?
By Melissa Maypole on 04-19-2012
As your child becomes a tween and eventually a teen, the question will inevitably arise: should you let your child join a social media network? If you listen to your child, of course, the answer will be a resounding “yes.” But, your maternal (or paternal) instinct may be telling you otherwise. After all, the media is rife with heart-wrenching stories about online predators and horrific tales of cyberbullying. No parent wants to expose their children to these types of threats.
On the other hand, many adults use social media themselves, both for personal and professional reasons. You may be thinking it’s a little hypocritical to deprive your youngster from the benefits these platforms offer when you’re enjoying them yourself. In fact, some social media experts have recommended that teens begin using social media sites like LinkedIn and even Twitter to network with professionals in the field they’re interested in one day pursuing. In addition, some employers are beginning to request LinkedIn profiles in lieu of a traditional resume. Bottom line? Social media is becoming so pervasive in our society that it’s becoming harder and harder to avoid.
So, what’s a parent to do? While ultimately, the decision is up to you, here are a few words of advice as you decide when and how to guide your child into the world of social media.
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Has technology made your job as a parent just a little bit harder? You’re not alone. Technology is often touted as a convenience that’s made so many things easier—shopping, paying bills, and keeping up with old friends, for instance. If you happen to be the parent of a tween or teen, however, technology—especially the Internet—can make life more difficult, especially if your child happens to be more techno-savvy than you are. If you’re concerned about your child’s online activities or just want to be proactive to ensure that your child plays it safe online, read on to discover three practical ways you can monitor your child’s computer use, even if you consider yourself a bit technologically challenged:
If you’re the parent of a teenager or soon-to-be adolescent, then you’ve no doubt heard the horror stories about cyberbullying. This type of online abuse has caused irreparable emotional damage for many a child and has even driven some young people to do the unthinkable by taking their own lives. News of these tragic events has compelled many parents to restrict their tween or teen from participating in online activities altogether. Luckily, there are alternatives that will allow your child to benefit from the entertainment and educational resources the Internet has to offer without exposing them to potential harm.
Before you take any drastic measures, consider these five practical tips for protecting your child from cyberbullying.
Think your child spends too much time online? Join the club. Whereas parents used to fret about how much television their children watched, today’s concern is centered on how much time their children spend glued to another screen, the one connected to the World Wide Web. Whether it’s via a PC, laptop, tablet, or smart phone, more and more kids are devoting more and more of their leisure time to surfing the net.
While no one can tell you exactly how much is too much (that’s a decision you’ll have to make on your own), there’s one thing that’s certain—it’s your duty as a parent to make sure that a) your child has a fulfilling and productive life outside of the one he’s created on the web, and b) that the amount of time your child spends online isn’t putting his health or safety at risk. How do you do that? Read on for some practical tips to help your child strike a balance between the virtual world and the real one.
Have you been considering letting your child get an account on a social media platform such as Facebook or Twitter? If so, you might want to think again. Although these sites can be tempting for kids who want to go online and chat with their friends, they can also pose a host of threats to your child’s safety and reputation. We all want our kids to be social and have fun, but these websites may not be the best avenue for social interaction. Want to know more? Read on to learn about three very real dangers of social media sites:
Think you have your child’s Internet usage under control? It’s a mistake many parents make these days, and it’s no surprise. After all, most of us grew up without even knowing what a computer was, and now our children have the ability to talk to whomever they wish whenever they wish, no matter where they are in the world, and they can do so at the touch of a button.
This capability is awesome in its implications and certainly has its benefits, but if misused, can put your child’s safety and well being at risk.
Rethinking whether you truly know who your kids are talking to online? Here are some warning signs that you may not know as much as you think you do about your child’s online activities:
As parents in a high-tech society, we face issues that our grandparents and even our own parents never gave a second thought to. One such issue is the “problem” of video games, specifically how much is too much and what types of games our kids should be playing. As the sheer number of games and consoles increase at a seemingly exponential rate, these questions are becoming more and more important.
With techno-phobes from the older generation balking at “kids these days” and pressure from schools and fellow parents to set limits on video game time, it can be easy to forget that these types of games do have some value and can even be educational. We’re not talking about Mortal Kombat or Dead Space, two of the worst games you could buy for your kids according to 
Is the thought of your tech-savvy kids coming into contact with something harmful online keeping you up at night? We understand. Keeping your kids safe from outside threats used to be simple. Back then, it was common practice among responsible parents to get to know their kids friends’ and their parents, create a network of people looking out for one another’s children, and set limits as to when and where the kids could play. But for better or for worse, times have changed.
In the vast sea of the interwebs, it’s become much more challenging to keep our children safe from predators and negative influences. That doesn’t mean it can’t be done, however. To help you sleep better at night, here are seven best practices that can greatly reduce the risk of your child coming into contact with something (or someone) nefarious online: