How to reduce risk – hassteveclarkresignedyet

Ice bucket, Tide pods, ground cinnamon. There seems to be no end to the challenges associated with social media, and teenagers everywhere are facing them.

Some are completely harmless, even a little funny. But others can have serious potential consequences. And let’s face it, most teenagers are not developed enough to understand the consequences of their actions. It’s like being a kid all over again, but with more impact. We still have to keep them alive.

This is where we as parents really need to step up and take steps to reduce the risks.

Open lines of communication

Mother and daughter talking and watching youtube on the phone — Image credit: Shutterstock.

We have to talk to our children about many different things, and social media use should be at the forefront these days. There are so many ways things can go wrong, from talking to the wrong people to being bullied (or being bullied), so it’s important to be upfront about your expectations.

Tell your teens that you know they may be struggling with some topics, and keep the lines of communication open so they can talk to you about a topic or issue if they feel it’s wrong or piques their curiosity.

Set boundaries

A mother demands a phone from her teenage daughter — Image credit: Shutterstock.

It is difficult because teenagers always like to push the limits, but it is very necessary. If you allow teens to use TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or any other platform, make sure they know how much they can use it.

Set clear rules and clearly outline the consequences (loss of social media or worse, their phones) if they violate these boundaries. When I first gave my daughter a phone, I made her sign a contract that spelled out violations and penalties. I also demanded unfettered access to her phone, which brings me to my next point.

Check their usage

A mother checks on her teenage daughter on the phone and on social media — Image credit: Shutterstock.

You have the right to check your child’s phone at any time, and you should. But there is a trick here. Do it spontaneously. Keep them guessing when you come for it. And when you do, make sure they’re on it at the time so they can’t delete anything right in front of you.

Children like to think they are sophisticated, especially teenagers. If they’re up to no good, they’ll likely delete the evidence before walking away from their phones, so if you ask for it while they’re using it, you’ll have a better chance of seeing what they’re really up to.

Stay up to date with challenges

Mom spends time with her daughter, she is interested to know what she is doing on social networks — Image credit: Shutterstock.

If your kids are using social media, you should be too. I have a rule at home that my kids have to let me monitor their profiles or they can’t be on the platforms. That way it’s easy for me to track what they post and/or share.

But it also gives me another advantage: I can see the challenges at hand, and it gives me time to formulate a game plan and talk to the child about the potential risks and consequences.

Encourage critical thinking

A mother talks to a teenager about the Internet, encouraging her to think critically — Image credit: Shutterstock.

Encourage your child to think critically when discussing problems you notice. If they say they want to participate, ask them to think about the possible outcomes.

Encourage them to explore as well. It will also help expand their thinking. But make it clear that not everything on the Internet is true, and show them how to find reputable advice on reputable sites.

There are many dangers online, and while we can’t always protect our children from every single incident, as much as we’d like to, we can be proactive in warning them of the dangers that lie ahead. This gives them a chance to go in with their eyes wide open and hopefully make smart decisions.