Page 24 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 10_2023

Today's Child

to hide from parents and share more honest
photos and captions.
• "My parents regularly search my phone, but
they don't know about my decoy app." Decoy
apps like Calculator and Audio Manager,
allow teens to hide their photos and videos,
make secret calls and message people.

The lesson to be learnt is that, as
technology advances, teens will continue
to move towards new apps and games - it's
impossible to stop them. Thus, banning
social media is just not realistic. Social media
can be beneficial in building relationships,
supporting causes and joining movements.
Not only can teens use social media in their
favour, but they will be increasingly expected
to do so. By teaching teens to use social
media in a healthy way, parents can help
them take charge of their online activities.
1. Set the standard. Unlike rules, which
restrict negative behaviours, set standards
that encourage positive behaviours. Setting
high standards takes practice, and when a
family agrees to live by the same standards,
they keep each other accountable. Set the
standard in your home e.g. no phones at the
dinner table, lead by example by having an IG
account with no nasty comments and do not
follow any inappropriate people or sites.
2. Monitor screen time. Behaviour
is learned. Teens will not behave
inappropriately, if they are not exposed to
inappropriate content. Therefore, check their
screen time and see what they are accessing
and for how long. Also, there is nothing
wrong with limiting their screen time.
3. Passwords and access. Your teen should
not have passwords you do not know or
deny you access to their phones. As a parent,
it would be wise to periodically check their
WhatsApp, IG and other social platforms. This
includes going into the direct messages on
IG and seeing
who they are communicating with. Teens
are under age therefore you, as a parent, are
to ascribe to. Teens strive for more ‘likes’ social media. Things like popularity used to legally responsible for what goes on, on their
by editing their photos. Body images, and be abstract, today it is quantifiable in how phones.
subsequently mental health and well-being many friends you have on IG. 4. Discuss the "do's" of social media,
become eroded. as well as the "don'ts". It is more useful
• Live streaming. Live streaming is another BAN IT THEN? to discuss a post that represents your
concerning feature of IG when it comes Let’s unpack this . . . IG creates insecurity, character and values versus “don’t post
to teens. It allows users to connect with social pressures around body shape, exercise, something that will embarrass you”. I
followers in real time. This has all sorts of fashion and income. The effects of screen say this because, at the time of posting,
problems with regards to exposure, let alone time and the risks associated with social the teen may not think their post was
‘grooming’ and abuse that can sneak into a media, whether bullying or exposure to embarrassing or they would not have
teen’s feed. strangers, are serious enough for parents posted it in the first place. Thus, discuss
to ban it. However, we need to guard how to positively utilise IG to their benefit.
POINTING FINGERS against making social media the forbidden
The blame of the problems with new fruit. Teens are always one step ahead of SO, WHERE TO FROM HERE?
technology gets put entirely on technology. their parents. Here are some examples of Parents and educators may take the stance
If we want to find a solution to these conversations I came across online while that the solution is to simply not use it.
problems, we need to take ownership of our researching these platforms: Honestly, if it is not IG, it will be something
role in the situation and take cognisance of • “My mom follows me on IG, but she has no else. Social media is not going anywhere, in
the technologically-driven world in which clue as to who I DM. I organised a hook up at fact it is advancing daily. The solution lies in
we live. There has always been a medium the party” Being a ‘friend’ of your teen on IG building resilience and self-esteem. If teens
transmitting social pressure. Previously it means you can see what they have posted. are feeling good about themselves, they
was TV, newspapers and magazines. Today However, you cannot access where others will not compare so strongly or take things
it includes social media and the internet. have tagged them in posts, photos or videos so personally. Social media may make us
The challenge with social media is that it is or who your teen is direct messaging. This forget how good real life actually is because
accessible all day, every day, from anywhere can only be done directly from within their it perpetuates what we do not have, how we
and for as long as you like. In other words, account. do not look, the holidays we do not take. We
it is not just IG that is the problem. It is the • "My mum gave me permission to use IG, need to pause, get some perspective and
social pressures put on teens, which are part but she has no clue about my finsta." Finsta is remind our teens, and perhaps ourselves too,
of our culture, that are then amplified by a second IG account teens may make use of that living in the real world is still great.
20 DPL issue 6 2023
24 DPL issue 10 2023
8 DPL issue 4 2023