Page 47 - Waterfall City Dec 2023_Jan 2024 Issue

the technologically driven world in 1. Set the standard
which we live. Unlike rules, which restrict negative
behaviours, set standards that post something that will embarrass
There has always been a medium encourage positive behaviours. you”. I say this because at the time of
transmitting social pressure. Previously Setting standards takes practice, and posting, the teen did not think their
it was TV, newspapers and magazines. when a family agrees to live by the post was embarrassing or they would
Today it includes social media and the same standards, they keep each other not have posted it in the first place.
internet. The challenge with social accountable. Lead by example by Discuss how they can positively use
media is that it is accessible all day, having an Instagram account with no Instagram to their benefit.
every day, from anywhere and for as nasty comments, and do not follow
long as you like. any inappropriate people or sites. Where to from here?
2. Take screen time Parents and educators may take the
It is the social pressure put on teens Behaviour is learned. Teens will not stance that the solution is simply not
that is part of our culture, that is then behave inappropriately if they are not to use it. But if it is not Instagram, it will
amplified by social media. Things like exposed to inappropriate content. be something else. Social media is not
popularity used to be abstract. Today Therefore, see what they are accessing going anywhere – in fact, it is advancing
it is quantifiable in terms of how many and for how long. Even if your family daily.
followers you have on Instagram. does not have linked phones, there is
nothing preventing you as a parent The solution lies in building resilience
However, we need to guard against from instituting a rule that all phones and self-esteem. If teens are feeling
making social media the forbidden get handed over at a particular time good about themselves, they will not
fruit. Teenagers are always one step and to a particular place every night. compare so strongly or take things so
ahead of their parents. For example: Teens should not have their phones personally.
• Being a ‘friend’ of your teen on accessible to them throughout the
Instagram does not mean you can see night. Sleep, academics and social Social media may make us forget how
what they have posted. They are able relationships will suffer. good real life actually is because it
to hide their feed from you. You cannot 3. Passwords and access perpetuates what we do not have, how
access where others have tagged them This one is tricky because I personally we do not look, the holidays we do
in posts, photos or videos or who your believe teens need limited privacy. not take. We need to pause, get some
teen is direct messaging. Ideally, your teen should not have perspective and remind our teens, and
• Teens have more than one account. passwords you do not know or deny perhaps ourselves too, that living in the
• Decoy apps allow teens to hide their you access from their phones. As a tangible, real world is great!
photos and videos, make secret calls parent, it would be wise to check all
and message people. their social platforms periodically.
The best approach, which is certainly
The lesson to be learnt is that as not foolproof, is perhaps to discuss
technology advances, teenagers will the concept of limited privacy. This
never stop moving towards these means that as a parent, you may
advances. request access to your teen’s phone.
The degree of privacy you afford your
Banning social media is not realistic. teen should perhaps be aligned with
Social media can be beneficial in the degree of worrisome behaviour
building relationships, supporting and the level of guidance your
causes and joining movements. Not individual teen requires. Teens are
only can teens use social media in under age; therefore, you as a parent
their favour, but they will also be are legally responsible for what
increasingly expected to do so. goes on on their phones. But more
importantly, remember that they are
What parents can do not experienced in the world yet.
The role of the parents becomes one They need assistance and guidance
of education, of teaching teens not to grow into kind, accountable and
to use social media less but to use it responsible people.
purposefully. Online education and 4. Discuss the do’s of social media, not
guidance, provided through constant only the don’ts
conversation, is needed. Here are It is more useful to discuss a post that
some suggestions for how parents can represents your character and values
navigate this: versus sounding the warning, “don’t

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