How to Introduce Your Kids to Social Media

Is your teen begging to start an Instagram or Snapchat account? Introducing kids to social media is a big deal because it can expose them to the broader digital world — and all the risks associated with it. 

In this article, we’ll discuss how to introduce kids to social media and tips for helping them stay safe.

What’s the right age for introducing kids to social media? 

There are two primary factors to consider when deciding if your child is ready for social media: age and maturity. 

Aside from a handful of apps designed for younger kids, such as Kinzoo and Messenger Kids, most social media platforms require users to be at least 13 years old. However, just because your child is technically old enough doesn’t mean they’re automatically ready for Snapchat (or TikTok, Instagram, or any of the other platforms). 

If your 15-year-old isn’t mature enough for social media, you shouldn’t feel pressure to let them use it. But don’t keep them in the dark just because they’re not ready yet — it’s a good idea to start educating your child on how to safely use social media before you hand them the reins.

How do you introduce kids to social media? 

Once you've decided it’s time to let your teen use social media, here are some tips to get them going: 

Start small 

• Pick one platform to start with. Consider what platform their friends are on, the age-appropriateness of that platform, and what you’re most comfortable with. 
• Add on slowly. Only allow your child to join a second social media platform once they’ve proven they can responsibly handle the first one. 

Educate them on the risks 

Explaining the risks of social media shows your teen why it’s important to behave responsibly online. It also helps them learn to spot danger — an important ingredient for lowering their risk. 

We’ve covered many of these dangers, including:

• Predators 
• Oversharing
• Cyberbullying
• Smishing
• Impacts on mental health
• Disrupted sleep 
• Exposure to risky behavior and dangerous trends
• Peer pressure
• Decreased self-esteem
• Distraction from important tasks
• Risk of dependency

Teach them how to stay safe 

We often think of teens as inevitably drawn to risk, but studies actually reveal that teens are often more cautious than their younger peers, choosing the safer option when given the information needed to make that choice. 

To equip your teen with the ability to make safe choices on social media, teach them about: 

• Digital literacy
• How to protect themselves against strangers online
• Warning signs of online grooming
• How to spot scams targeting teens
• Resetting their algorithm for a healthier social media experience
• How to be a good digital citizen
• Tips for preventing digital addiction

What can I do to keep my teen safe on social media? 

Think of these tips as starting points. You’ll want to continuously check in with your child once they start using social media on their own.

Set limits

As your child matures, it may be reasonable to give them increasing leeway in when and how often they use social media (within reason). But when they’re first starting out, it’s a good idea to create more stringent boundaries to help them learn appropriate limits. 

Lock it down 

Utilize the parental controls on the social media apps your child uses, as well as any built into their device. 

Stay involved 

The American Psychological Association recommends that parents monitor social media for all kids under 15, and depending on your child’s maturity level, it may be necessary to do so for longer. Here are some ways to stay involved: 

• Follow them. Not on the social media platforms your child uses? Time to open an account! Following them on social media won’t tell you everything you need to know, but it’s a good place to start. 
• Practice digital safety check-ins. Establish designated times when you sit with your child to look at their device together and discuss their online activity. 
• Use a monitoring app. BrightCanary uses AI technology to remotely monitor your child’s social media (as well as other online activity) and alerts you if there’s an issue so you can follow up.
• Build independence over time. The ultimate goal is to raise a young adult who knows how to use social media wisely. As your child matures and proves they can act responsibly online, increase their autonomy. Don’t totally check out, though. 

Did you know? BrightCanary is a great way to give your child independence without compromising on safety because you get alerts when there’s a red flag … without having to look at everything your child does online. 

In short

By being proactive, parents can introduce social media to their child in a way that encourages them to be responsible and stay safe. Parents should educate their child on the risks of social media, teach them tips for staying safe, and remain involved in their child’s online activity. 

BrightCanary gives you real-time insights to keep your child safe online. The app uses advanced technology to monitor them on the apps and websites they use most often. Download on the App Store today and get started for free.