Social Media Information for Parents St. Charles IL – Bellosa Counseling – Call 847-656-5259

Technology can have a negative impact on young people in the following ways:

-Children can be distracted easily by technology, making it more difficult for them to complete their homework and study, whether at home or at school. This can also have an effect on their interpersonal and social skills.

-Children with nonstop access to technology are more likely to stay up late and not get adequate sleep, leading to a poor performance and difficulty paying attention in class the next day.

Social Media Information for Parents St. Charles IL

The good news is that there are steps parents can take to protect their child’s well-being and promote healthier use of social media. An important first step is maintaining open communication about technology and how to use it appropriately. It’s also helpful to:

-Ensure your child is aware that it is difficult to remain anonymous online and inform them what type of information they should not post.
-Explain that once information is online it is there permanently.
-Engage with your child in conversations about safe and appropriate online behavior.
-Inform them why it’s important to use strong passwords and how to create and keep them.
-Discuss some hypothetical situations with your child, using real life scenarios. This can help kids understand the issues in a context of emotions or empathy.
-Have your child watch for things their peers may be doing that are possibly unsafe or not appropriate.
-Set and consistently follow household rules for how your child may use social media and technology.
-Establish clear and understandable expectations and for use of all electronics in your home.
-Create a “social media use agreement” and talk with your child about respecting other people online.
-Be sure your child ends screen time a minimum of one hour before bedtime when it’s possible to do so.