Kelly Clarkson recently made headlines for saying she won’t let her children use social media until they’re 18. This can be a difficult choice for parenting parents, as research shows more than half of young people have a social media account and the average age of sign-up was younger than 13. But for me, Clarkson’s decision is one I completely agree with and one I try to implement in my own home.
A few months ago, my 13-year-old daughter wanted to show me a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the many reasons she felt she should finally be allowed to use Snapchat. The slide said she could approve anyone she added to her contacts, and there were a number of other well-thought-out points.
I had to hand it to her. This presentation was made to get my attention after months of her begging, pleading, and honestly wooing me to finally let her take part in what she calls a snap. That was a smart move. But I didn’t feel insulted when I was informed in the final slide that I was the only mom who didn’t let her kids Snapchat her. Frankly, I was honored.
In my opinion, social media has no place in children’s lives. I’m not convinced by the benefits that apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat offer young people (and certainly not adults, but that’s another story). All I’ve come across is evidence that children are accessing potentially harmful content, including eating disorders, self-harm, and being exposed to bullying, which gives me reason to be very concerned. Just to name a few, my children’s illnesses gave me pause. Social media.
Clarkson seems to agree that social media is absent from children’s lives. The famous mother, who shares nine-year-old daughter River and seven-year-old son Remington with her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, strictly enforces a no-social media policy at her home.
“That can be really hard for kids in general, but especially for kids whose parents are in public spaces.” american idol alum recently said people. “So I told them they were never allowed under my roof. [it]” Blackstock agrees that she doesn’t allow social media when her children are together.
Clarkson is not the only celebrity parent to take this stance. Matthew McConaughey previously said he doesn’t allow his son and his wife to participate on social media, even though he wanted them to do so until he turned 15. revealed.
As for the future of children’s social media participation, Clarkson admitted: “I’ll ask my kids when they’re older, but until we have a solid discussion, no.” Apparently I’m in the listening stage. But it would be hard to change my mind about why I don’t think social media has a positive impact on children’s lives in general. Experts tend to agree that social media can be harmful.
What experts say about children’s social media use
Chief Parent Officer of Bark Technologies, Parenting in a world of technology. “So much so that in 2023 the Surgeon General issued a warning calling for ‘urgent action by policymakers, technology companies, researchers, families and young people’ to understand exactly how this is happening. ” she added. ”
She emphasizes that children can and do scroll through negative content on social media. Regarding the possible negative effects of an online presence, Jordan says: “Kids can easily get carried away and spend a lot of time scrolling and tapping instead of doing other important things like homework or sleeping. Let’s not forget the pressure to look that way. Social media can definitely wreak havoc on self-esteem.”
Aja Chavez, executive director of youth services at Mission Prep, a residential youth mental health treatment program, agrees that social media has its downsides. “Social media can over and over again weaken real, meaningful connections with people in our communities, which can lead to feelings of isolation and isolation, which can lead to depression,” Chavez said. say.
Meanwhile, parents are understandably concerned about their children being exposed to online bullying, and Chavez points out that bullying can sometimes occur anonymously. “There are people on social media who are intent on hurting people and doing harmful things,” she says. “This has a huge impact on children and teens’ sense of values, safety and mental well-being.”
Well, sometimes social media is bad. However, it’s important to note that apps like Instagram and TikTok may offer some benefits to children, including awareness about social and political issues. Chavez added that social media can “provide a place of connection for people who suffer from social anxiety,” and Jordan said, “If you have a creative passion or skill, you can share it with a real audience.” We can share it.”
How to talk to kids about social media
For parents like Clarkson and me, social media is a total no-no for our kids, but there’s a lot you can do to keep things like Snapchat at bay. Jordan recommends being honest with your child about why you don’t want them online. “Have a heart-to-heart conversation with your kids about digital safety and what it actually means to be a responsible digital citizen,” she says.
Chavez warns parents not to default to lecture mode. “Remain curious every time your child insists on having social media,” she advises, “and avoid feeling left out or feeling like you’re the only one not allowed to do something. Please verify how difficult it is,” he added.
I’m taking notes here, but at the same time, my core belief that remaining firm on issues that I feel strongly about is not an issue, but is actually my responsibility as a parent. I’m returning to my beliefs. I myself demonstrate this by refraining from using social media.
For parents and guardians who have vetted and are ready to allow some access to social media apps that they deem safe for their children, Jordan offers the following tips:
- Let your children know that they can talk to you if something strange or unpleasant happens.
- Teach them to only share with people they know and trust.
- Monitor your privacy settings using parental controls.
- Sign a technology agreement that outlines your expectations for their use, including how much time your child can spend online.
The good news for parents wondering how to deal with the social media problem in their children’s lives is that a senator has introduced a bipartisan bill that would actually enact a ban in the United States. , children under 13 are prohibited from using social media, and children under 18 must have parental permission to set up an account. Another purpose of the bill is to restrict social media companies from using algorithms to push content to children.