Families are looking for help with social media. Kids’ mental health suffersl due to content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Some people question whether kids should be on social media and at what age. Lawmakers introduced a bill to prohibit children under 13 from using social media and require permission for users under 18. The Federal Trade Commission accused Facebook of misleading parents and not protecting children’s privacy on Messenger Kids. The FTC proposed changes to a privacy order with Facebook’s parent company, including prohibiting it from making money from data it collects on children.
Laws and regulations take time to implement, leaving parents and teens with questions on how to stay safe online in the meantime. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prohibits kids under 13 from using online platforms that advertise to them without parental consent. Social media companies generally ban kids under 13 from signing up for their services to comply with COPPA, but kids often sign up anyway, with or without their parents’ permission.
Online privacy is no longer the only concern regarding kids being online. Other risks include bullying, harassment, and mental health issues. Some parents, educators, and tech experts believe that children should wait until they are older to have phones and access to social media. The “Wait Until 8th” pledge encourages parents to wait until 8th grade (age 13-14) to give their kids a smartphone. Social media companies and the government have not taken concrete steps to increase the age limit.
There is no “magical age” for kids to get on social media, but experts agree that 13 is not the best age. Proposed laws include banning children under 13 from social media, but it’s hard to verify a person’s age when they sign up for apps and online services. Some experts suggest that developers need to build apps with kids in mind. Some parents and celebrities have chosen to ban their kids from social media altogether, but this could lead to kids feeling isolated. Kids who have never been on social media may have trouble navigating the platforms when they turn 18.
Talk to your children early and often about social media, even before they are old enough to be online. Ask open-ended questions and show interest in what they are doing online. Don’t dismiss their online lives, but try to understand and engage with them. Educate yourself and your children about the tools and tactics social media companies use to keep people online. Watching documentaries or reading articles about social media can be a way to start conversations and empower kids to make better choices.
Take kids’ phones overnight to limit their scrolling. Kids need a break from the screen. Parents may also need their own limits on phone use.Explain to kids what you’re doing when you have a phone in hand. Let them know you’re not aimlessly scrolling through sites like Instagram. Tell them when you plan to put the phone down
Social media apps are designed to be addictive. Without new laws, there is only so much parents can do to protect their children. Tech companies prioritize clicks and profits over children’s well-being. Regulations are needed to protect children’s data and limit harmful content.
