Is your child ready for social media apps? These 5 signs can help you decide.
From online safety to self-control, here’s what family tech expert Sarah Werle Kimmel says parents should check for before saying yes to social media.
Is your child asking for social media? Most of these apps don’t allow children under the age of 13 to use them. But it’s not just about reaching a number: It’s about showing signs they’re ready for the responsibility.
To help you make that call, family tech expert Sarah Werle Kimmel offers the following checklist. Each of the signs listed here is like a level-up badge on the road to responsible social media use. The more signs they show, the more prepared they are becoming.
Level 1: The safety scout
They understand the basics of online safety.
Before your child starts using social media apps, check into how they take steps to protect their safety online. “Your child should already know that they should only friend people they know in real life,” Kimmel says. “And they should also know not to share any personally identifiable information—their home address, where they go to school, what grade they’re in—in any public forum online.”
If they’re already playing it safe in games and online, that’s a great signal.
Level 2: The time pro
They have self-control when it comes to tech.
Social media is designed to keep us scrolling. If your child is consistently putting the device down without asking for five more minutes, that’s a good sign.
You can also be mindful of their texting habits. If they’re using appropriate texting etiquette, such as giving the other person enough time to respond instead of double- or triple-texting, that means good emotional regulation.
Level 3: The tech steward
They take care of their devices.
Of course, accidents happen. But if your child is consistently losing or breaking tech devices, they may not be ready for the added responsibility of a social media presence.
Level 4: The content critic
They can tell the difference between appropriate and inappropriate content.
Talk to kids about what’s okay to post and how they should respond if they encounter something that crosses the line. Kimmel suggests turning it into a quiz or role playing: What would you do if you came across a video that made you uncomfortable? How would you respond to a mean comment?
If they’re asking to use one app in particular, Kimmel recommends asking them to make a presentation about the app’s pros and cons and how they’ll use it responsibly.
Level 5: The co-pilot
They respect your role as a digital guardian.
Let them know you’ll be doing checks and using parental controls, too. “If you realize that you’ve allowed them to download social media apps too early, don’t be afraid to admit that you made a mistake,” says Kimmel.
Not quite ready yet?
If your child is asking for social media but doesn’t quite check all the boxes above, you can set a future date to talk about it, whether it’s one month, six months or a year down the road. “Mark a day on the calendar for the next conversation so that you’re not constantly having to answer the question of when they can have it,” Kimmel says.
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