Is Social Media Dangerous For Your Kids?

**Collaborative post**

Social media undoubtedly has many pros and cons; it allows us to connect with friends and family all around the world who we might not otherwise speak to but it also provides a place for cyberbullies and predators to attack. It’s up to you, as parents, to decide if your child is mature enough to navigate these platforms in a safe way. I have teamed up with one of the best prep schools in Oxfordshire to explore the dangers in social media in more detail so that you can make a more informed decision.

A lot of research has been carried out that has sought to uncover how social media can harm mental health. Many teenagers are struggling with anxiety and depression because of all of the heavily edited string of images they’re seeing online of people “living their best lives”. These images are causing teens (and adults alike) to feel insecure and generally lack self-confidence. Social media was originally created to be a positive way for people to express themselves, but it’s actually having an adverse effect.

As well as issues with body image, social media also produces various problems with privacy. Your kids need to know what information is and isn’t appropriate to post on the internet. They need to know that they shouldn’t share things like passwords or personal details. Explain to your child that they need to think very carefully before they post, because once they do they won’t be able to take it back. They need to ask themselves; will this post embarrass me if an adult sees it? Will this post put myself or anyone I know in danger? Will this post hurt someone’s feelings? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then the post should not be shared.

Depending on your child’s age, it’s also wise to speak to them about child predators. Make sure they know that they could be talking to anyone online; people aren’t always who they say they are. They should avoid starting relationships online with people they haven’t met in real life, especially in a romantic sense. Make sure they know that they should never send intimate photos of themselves.

With cyberbullying, mental health issues, child predators and scammers posing some of the many issues with social media, it is clear that it can indeed be a very dark and dangerous place. However, that doesn’t mean it’s all bad, your child just needs to have good judgement and make sensible decisions.