The biggest milestone for teenagers used to be getting their driver’s license, opening them up to a new world of freedom and danger. For many, it’s now getting their first smartphone.
Unlike with a car — which comes with driving lessons, a learner’s permit and a big test to ensure road readiness — many parents buy the phone first, then try to teach their kids how to use it. It’s a risky approach, experts say. As easy as it is to give your child more freedom, it can be a brutal battle to claw it back when they’re misusing it or showing signs of overuse.
The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a warning, and some vague advice, about how to protect children from the dangers of social media. The report, released this month, says the impact of social media on children’s mental health is an urgent public health issue. It acknowledges that there are potential benefits to social media use, and that we still need to do more research to figure out its real long term impacts.
The Help Desk has made this guide for parents or caregivers who want to make sure their children are entering into the world of smartphones and social media as safely as possible. We will cover everything from the right age to buy a smartphone, to having difficult conversations about bullying, sexting and misinformation.
At the center of all our advice is the need to have open and continuing conversations with kids. Their needs, interests and issues will evolve as they age, and the adults in their life need to keep up. Be open to reassessing your rules and allowing more flexibility as they grow. Your goal shouldn’t be to monitor everything they search online and every private conversation they have with friends. You want to give your children the skills they need to handle problems on their own, and build enough trust so they’ll know they can come to you with anything bigger.
