Many kids use social media regularly to communicate with friends and family, get information and feel connected to their communities. With so many social media platforms now, it can be difficult to manage your children’s social media usage and time.
“Yes, there’s a lot more platforms, but it’s still the same struggle parenting around this,” said Delaney Ruston, MD, renowned physician and filmmaker. “More than ever now after COVID, it’s where we need as schools and parents to really figure out effective ways to manage all the ways they’re being pulled on social media.”
Ruston is the director of "Screenagers", a film that showcases struggles over social media, video games and academics — and provides solutions for helping kids navigate a digital world. With her own kids, Ruston switched her focus from scare tactic to share tactic. She shared the positives of technology with her kids but also discussed issues constructively together.
Social media can cause self-esteem issues for children and can also be an avenue for bullying. There are emotional risks, and several social media platforms are focusing on policies to address this.
“I’m quite happy that there’s a lot more pressure coming about now to create policies in these companies to do things that are healthier for our kids,” Ruston said.
Kids are naturally going to connect with each other on digital devices, so talking with them early on is important.
“Starting conversations with our kids before they’re on the larger social media platforms is key,” Ruston said.
Letting kids know it’s safe to come to you with any issues or situations that may arise on social media can also be vital to ensuring safe social media practices.
Ruston will be leading a webinar on Nov. 18 about preparing kids for social media and managing screen time issues as part of Recovery Café's free webinar series on kids and screens. To learn more and register for the webinar, visit the Recovery Café website.
Sponsored by Recovery Café. Segment Producer Rebecca Perry. Watch New Day Northwest 11 AM weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.