{"id":323,"date":"2019-08-22T18:38:55","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T18:38:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utia-dev.tennessee.edu\/news\/?p=323"},"modified":"2020-03-05T19:14:21","modified_gmt":"2020-03-05T19:14:21","slug":"helping-teens-navigate-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/utia-dev.tennessee.edu\/news\/helping-teens-navigate-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Teens Navigate Social Media"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tips for Parents in a World Full of Screens<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. \u2013 YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other sites have utterly captured the attention of our nation, including children and teenagers. How can parents navigate this new terrain? University of Tennessee Extension has tips and advice for parents who are struggling to teach their children and teens how to use technology responsibly. 

\u201cParents are their children\u2019s primary teachers,\u201d says Heather S. Wallace, assistant professor of family and consumer sciences. \u201cIn conversations all through their lives, we teach our children how to talk to people, how to clean, how to share with others, and we can teach them how to responsibly and safely use social media.\u201d

Wallace states that for most parents, the technological landscape is so vast that it can feel overwhelming. She suggests allowing only one social media site to be used when children and teens first receive a smart device. \u201cA single site feels more manageable for parents, and makes helping their teen navigate safe online communication much easier,\u201d says the development expert. \u201cKids need to walk before they run, and that\u2019s extremely true on the internet, where the repercussions for stumbling can sometimes be severe and permanent.\u201d She suggests using a single site for a set amount of time, like six months to a year, and then adding other sites or channels as parents feel comfortable. Parents should also always have ready access to their child\u2019s login and password information. Privacy is not a basic human right, but should be earned over time as the child displays responsible behavior, recommends Wallace.  

Another tactic parents can use when it comes to their children and social media is to limit their own use of devices, technology, and social networking. \u201cOur kids see and hear nearly everything we do, and we are modeling what healthy technology use is, even if our own habits aren\u2019t that great,\u201d continues Wallace. Having family-wide rules like no screens during dinner or regular \u201cblack out\u201d days can help curb everyone\u2019s use of social media and help establish healthy screen use patterns. \u201cAnd absolutely limit screen time during family vacations,\u201d advises Wallace. \u201cIt\u2019s one thing to pull out a phone to capture a special moment in a photo, but it\u2019s extremely detrimental to spend what precious down time you have glued to technology.\u201d

Some parents may find it helpful to inform their children and teenagers of how much their cell phone or device costs each month and contribute to that cost from either an allowance, money earned from completing chores, or a summer job. \u201cIf children and teens understand that devices, screen time and using social media are privileges that must be earned, it can help them treat those outlets with respect and wisdom,\u201d states the expert.

For parents who feel they need extra help, UT Extension offers a four-session program called \u201cDigi_Life.\u201d UT Extension leaders can help parents navigate different facets of technology and make wise deicions about when to get their child a smart device, how to set boundaries around its usage, and what apps are riskiest. For information on Digi_Life classes or for more parenting resources, contact the family and consumer sciences agent at your local county Extension office. You can also visit the UT Extension Family and Consumer Sciences website at fcs.tennessee.edu<\/a>. 

Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu<\/a>.

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