For many growing up, the age of consent is 18. Yet many social media platforms allow children as young as 13 to participate. As such, much of the information in social media may not be filtered or appropriate. The debate of this social media entry age continues today, and for parents, it presents numerous challenges to monitor and restrain children in social media usage. There are pros and cons to zero tolerance and allowing children to participate. Consider the many challenges as you answer this week’s questions.
Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:
What are ways a parent could encourage their child to curtail smartphone usage, protocols, and amount of time? Would you use a reward structure or no reward?
What are ways to monitor children’s behavior on their social media accounts? How can you find their accounts if they have dozens of emails used to set them up?
How can a child’s use of social media impact their relationship with their parents?
How can a parent’s use of social media impact their relationship with their children?
Sample Answer
Strategies for Managing Children's Digital Engagement
Navigating the digital landscape is challenging, especially when platforms have lower entry ages than what many consider responsible adulthood. Establishing healthy boundaries is crucial for protecting children and maintaining strong family relationships.
Encouraging Curtailment of Smartphone Usage
Parents can encourage reduced smartphone usage by establishing clear protocols and routines. Strategies include designating "tech-free zones" (like the dining table or bedrooms after a certain hour) and setting "digital sunset" times where all devices are docked and charged outside of bedrooms. Instead of focusing solely on time limits, focus on time displacement: replacing screen time with family activities, sports, or hobbies.
Regarding rewards, a balanced approach is often best. Rather than an explicit reward structure (which can make the phone seem like the ultimate prize), focus on using positive reinforcement. For example, framing the phone as a privilege earned through meeting responsibilities, or connecting non-usage time directly to valued family time (e.g., "When devices are away, we have time for that movie you wanted to watch").
Monitoring Social Media Accounts
The most effective way to monitor behavior is through open communication and transparency. From the start, parents should set an expectation that social media accounts are not private until the child turns 18, and that account passwords are known to the parent. For finding accounts created with multiple emails, parents should focus monitoring efforts on the device itself using reputable parental control software that logs app activity, or by checking the "Passwords" or "Saved Logins" section in major web browsers used on the child's primary device. This approach is more sustainable than trying to track dozens of phantom emails.
Impact on Parent-Child Relationships
A child’s excessive use of social media can significantly damage family relationships by fostering emotional withdrawal and increasing conflict. When a child is constantly checking notifications or engaging with peers online, they can become less present, missing opportunities for meaningful in-person connection and potentially leading the parent to feel marginalized or dismissed.
Conversely, a parent’s excessive use of social media can be just as impactful. If a parent is constantly on their phone, the child learns two negative lessons: that the device is more important than face-to-face interaction, and that their parent is not fully present. This can lead to the child feeling neglected, causing resentment, and ultimately modeling the same unhealthy, attention-divided behavior the parent is trying to prevent. The best protocol is always to lead by example.