Every parent wants to protect their children from the harsh realities of our world. But it is impossible to keep them sheltered forever. Many would argue that the world is now a far safer place for children. And it definitely is in a physical sense. But the Internet and social media has created a new issue for parents.
Unfiltered Internet access can be a dangerous thing for children. As can social media. So many parents have often asked me at what age should they allow their children to join social media? Or if they should let them use them at all. Today we are going to unpack the pros and cons of allowing your child on social media and help you figure out at what age it is appropriate for them to join.
The Dangers Of Social Media
There is no debate about whether or not social media can be dangerous. We aren’t trying to say that it is evil and should be avoided at all costs. But understanding the risks presented to children by social media usage is important.
The most obvious danger is exposure to harmful imagery. Most social media apps do a pretty good job of filtering out graphic content such as violence. But that isn’t the only thing that can cause your child harm. Studies have shown that spending too much time on social media has an adverse effect on our mental health. Primarily due to the fact we spend a lot of time idolizing other people’s lives and comparing them to our own. Often to our detriment.
The second most present danger is grooming. Children are naturally inquisitive and friendly. And a lot of people will use social media platforms to manipulate this characteristic to their own ends. Whether that is to scam them or do something far worse.
Social media has also created a culture of influencers, especially in the youth of today. And this can lead to issues at school. Popularity is now being measured by someone’s follower count. Creating cliques and groups in schools that ostracize others for not being as popular online.
Mitigating These Dangers
All of these risks can be dealt with by properly educating your child about social media. The first step is to let them know that the majority of influencer posts they will see are fake. They are designed to create an unrealistic image of someone’s life. You can also use various tracker and blocker apps to ensure they are filtered from more adult oriented accounts and content.
This next bit is perhaps the most important lesson you can teach them. And applies to real life as well as on social media. Do not interact with strangers. Even popular influencers who have a large following. Educate your child on the risks this poses. Make sure they know to only communicate directly with people they know. Or, if they are talking to someone new, they inform you of it and let you verify who they are.
It is natural for children to want to become influencers. It is an attractive lifestyle that can be extremely lucrative and rewarding. If your child has dreams of being an influencer the key is not to hinder them but to help them. Both by managing their expectations while also providing them a leg up. This could be through helping them make content, buying Instagram views or TikTok followers, or helping them with the more technical aspects.
But you should remind them that followers and views aren’t everything. What is important is genuine human connections. The friends they make at school and through life are going to be infinitely more valuable than having a million followers.
The Right Age?
This is a tough question to answer. A vast majority of popular social media platforms specify that users have to be at least 13 years old before joining. And this is a very good guideline to follow if you can. But, naturally, children want access sooner. And there is a case to be made for this.
A number of educational experts have run experiments in which they take their children’s phones away or forbid them from using social media for an extended period. And the results showed that, while the children were more physically engaged, they were showing signs of complete social isolation and depression.
The sad fact of the matter is that social media has already become an integral part of social society for young people. And those without access are being left out either intentionally or unintentionally.
My recommendation is a child who has been properly educated about the dangers of social media, and whose usage is regulated and monitored, should be allowed on by age 11 / 12 at the earliest.
