Red Flags To Look For On Your Teen’s Social Media
Red Flags To Look For On Your Teen’s Social Media
Social media is often a hot topic of conversation among teenagers and parents. Social media has been known to bring about some amazing benefits. Including awesome acts of human kindness and the fantastic ability to help find missing people. However, social media has also been linked to a decrease in self-esteem. As well as mental health issues, cyberbullying and more. That’s why it’s so important for parents to understand what their teenager is doing online. And to know what red flags to look for on your teen’s social media. Unfortunately, I took my eye off the ball and my daughter was groomed. It is something that I have to live with.
Looking back now, I can see the red flags were there. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about them at the time. Now I can see them, but obviously, it is too late. I want to share some red flags to look for on your teen’s social media. Because I don’t want you going through what I did.
There are so many different social media platforms out there. So it’s important for parents to understand what some of these apps involve. And then judge for themselves whether they are appropriate for their teenagers. Many social media apps offer exciting interests for teenagers. Especially some in-app purchases, anonymity, and flimsy content filters. So It’s vital that you keep an eye not only on what your teenager is doing on social media but also on which platforms they’re using. Here are 3 important red flags to look for on your teen’s social media.
Easily Hidden Social Media Activity
You may think that letting your teenager access to social media. On the condition that you become friends with them on the platform will limit the type of activity that they can perform. Unfortunately, for some of the most popular social media apps, this is not the case. Kids can hide things so easily online.
Instagram and Snapchat both have Private Story features that enable teens to share content with a particular audience. This means that it’s very easy for teenagers to share content with their friends and anyone else they want to. Without parents having any idea about it. Snapchat also features a “My Eyes Only” camera roll which requires you to enter a pin code. This grants you access to a camera roll that cannot be accessed anywhere else on your teen’s phone.
When you let your teenager use apps like these. Make sure you’re aware of hidden stories, auto-deleting messages, and hidden camera rolls. It is easy for teenagers to hide messages between themselves and other people. Especially those that they’re not supposed to be talking to (including possible groomers). As well as inappropriate images, and secret partners.
Inappropriate Content, Including Drug Sales And Sexting
Obviously, one of the biggest things that we parents want to make sure our teenagers don’t have access to is inappropriate content. This doesn’t just cover inappropriate images and videos. But a whole area of influential content that teenagers can very easily gain access to. Thanks to anonymity through auto-deleting messages and images, it’s easy for teenagers to simply open up an app like Snapchat and buy drugs or arrange to meet up with other kids, and total strangers.
Sexting and sending nudes is another dangerous red flag that pops up on many teenagers’ social media platforms. These can be hidden easily by savvy teenagers using private camera rolls; however, the danger lies with those who receive these messages. Other teenagers are able to screenshot and keep these images, and thanks to the huge network of social media platforms available, anonymous posting, and hashtags, it’s very easy for this media to get leaked onto the public domain.
Luckily some inappropriate content can be blocked using content filters set up on your router and by your internet provider. However, when it comes to this type of content, having an open channel of communication and providing support and education on how to remain safe whilst on the internet will help to keep your child from falling prey to dangerous content and users.
Cyberbullying Is One Of The Red Flags To Look For On Your Teen’s Social Media
Speaking of nudes, sexting, and inappropriate content, the third red flag in today’s article is cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a very real thing and it can lead to teenagers (mostly girls) being manipulated and pushed into sending images to other teens. This can begin a vicious cycle of ‘trading’ nudes, girls being bullied for their appearance, and being branded with sexual slurs.
It’s not only inappropriate content that can lead to cyberbullying; anonymity plays a huge role in cyberbullying on social media. With apps that allow you to leave cruel and hurtful comments without any repercussions. Sadly, it’s easy for teenagers to fall victim to bullying and hate, even if they don’t receive this sort of treatment from their peers at school or college.
Finally, look out for signs that your teenager is becoming less animated and excited, and becoming more withdrawn. Reassure your teenager that you’re there for them to talk to should they need to, and provide a safe space for them to confide in you.
Being their parent On Social Media
You need to be their social media parent as well as their social media friend. It might seem like you are nagging them all of the time. And that you are invading their privacy when you check their social media accounts. But it is all for the best, and it is keeping them safe. At the end of the day, you are their parent primarily. So you need to parent them with their social media.
Take note of appropriate ages on social media because so many young kids have their own accounts. You should be 13 years old to have any kind of social media account. But if your child really does want to use social media, make sure you manage the account. Then you control the login and what content goes on there.
If you need to talk to your children, there is some good advice here too
