Creating communities on social media
Social media can be a daunting space, from accounts sharing misinformation to young people facing unrealistic body standards. But when used in a safe way, social media can help foster communities and friendships for young people. We look at some of the unexpected benefits of social media, and how you can keep your child safe while they explore it.
Friends in far places
Friends in far places
We’ve all had a friend that we’ve lost touch with. Social media helps young people stay connected with friends during those pivotal years. It can make them feel less alone or isolated, and give them somebody to talk to when things get difficult.
Social media can also be a place to make new friends and seek support. For example, young people with disabilities or who identify as LGBTQ+ can connect with other people who share their experiences.
To keep your child safe, you can look at the privacy settings on each app to prevent them from accidentally sharing personal information. You can also talk to them about ways to keep themselves safe, such as never agreeing to send photos to someone else or giving away personal details like their address or school.
It could also be a good idea to befriend your child on all their accounts, so that you can see who they follow. Having a profile means you can be aware of what kind of content is on those apps, and if there’s anything you think you should warn your child about.
Campaigning for change
Many young people are energised to fight for a better future. Whether that’s the climate, the economy, or inclusivity. Social media can provide a platform for young people to campaign for what they believe in. Many apps even have built-in fundraisers. Free Periods was started online by Amika George in 2017, a young person who wanted to end period poverty in the UK. The campaign has resulted in the Government committing funding for free period products in schools in England!
To help your child campaign for change in a safe way, you can talk to them about the potential dangers of including their face in their content. Also, making sure they film in neutral locations that don’t make clear where they live. You can also talk to them about how reaching a wider audience means some people won’t like what they’re saying and can leave mean comments.
As a parent, you can help ‘moderate’ their account and hide any mean comments or report abuse, to help protect your child online.
Exploring their creativity
Exploring their creativity
From painting to singing, and acting to pottery, there’s a niche for every art form on the internet. Your child can learn about techniques and styles by following artists on social media. They can also share their artwork and create a digital portfolio of sorts.
Some young people have even been able to build careers through posting their art online. The singer Troye Sivan started out by posting songs on YouTube. And Yasmine Finney had a TikTok account about being a black trans teenager before she got cast in Heartstopper!
Exploring their creativity
You can suggest turning comments off on your child’s accounts, but also talk to them about not engaging with anonymous messages before talking to you first. Some messages about their art might be legitimate, but fact-checking the profile is a good first step before engaging with them!
Conclusion
Social media isn’t without its risks. There are adults who might not have your child’s best interests at heart. Or images that could make your child feel insecure or unsafe. But every day it becomes a more integral part of young people’s lives, and imposing bans at home could run the risk of your child simply hiding the dangers or problems they run into.
When used in a safe and moderated way, young people can gain lots from social media. And by staying involved in their online presence, you can help them to feel comfortable speaking to you when things go wrong, and enable them to benefit from social media for many years to come.
