Parenting

Protecting Our Kids: The Dark Side of Social Media

As a mom of two young boys, I’ve witnessed firsthand the influence of social media on kids. But children have also become copycats of their parents’ social media habits. From scrolling through feeds to adopting similar posting styles, kids imitate the online routines and interactions they witness daily. This highlights the profound influence parents have and underscores the importance of setting a positive example on social media.

Social media should connect people from all walks of life and be the launch pad for inspiration, creativity, and sharing our unique stories. However, it’s disheartening to witness the rise of negativity, cyberbullying, and toxic behavior that can hurt individuals emotionally and mentally.

Ways to Deal With It

Using More Controlled Platforms

In response to these growing concerns, there are some platforms like daylyy that is reshaping the social media landscape. How algorithm-driven apps are handling the topic of mental health isn’t helping. Posting on such platforms isn’t about trying to stand out or fit in but share more of life’s daily moments.

Such platforms keep everything real, is unedited, and unfiltered, so it’s impossible to add filters, fake a fabulous vacation, or be anything other than authentic. There’s no uploading photos or videos from the camera roll and with private comments and hidden likes, the app achieves what others cannot–better human connection.

Monitoring Social Media Use

The best way to keep an eye on your kids is to learn about the apps your kids use. You can view the apps and play games together so that you are aware about the content and what should be out of reach. Communicate with them and let them know what is dangerous on social media and to seek help if they come across anything suspicious.

There are also apps available to monitor kids’ social media accounts and let you know if they are accessing any inappropriate content. It’s a truth that it is not possible to monitor every activity as kids grow older. The best is to have healthy communication about the realities of social media and the boundaries that you have for them.

Keeping an Eye on Internet Activity

As a parent you have the option of filtering your kid’s internet use by setting up iOS and Android profiles for them on all the online devices they use (smartphones, tablets, and computers). You can also set a limit on the amount of internet use.

Nowadays, there is also the option of monitoring google accounts for kids. These accounts forwards emails to parents so that they can monitor email communication. There are also paid apps to monitor texts, YouTube streaming, and social media platforms for signs of unsafe online behavior such as cyberbullying, internet predators, and threats of violence.

Conclusion

In this day and age with increasing social media activity, kids are also at risk of more exposure to negative content. Be transparent with your kids and let them have the confidence of trusting in you. By creating a balance of monitoring activities and having regular communication you can help them deal with the dangers of social media.

Jenny Burkett

Jenny Burkett is the Chief Communications Officer of Daylyy, founded by Austin Anderson. Daylyy stands at the forefront of creating a safer space for users, revolutionizing and rewiring social media to provide a secure platform for our children to connect, express themselves, and explore their interests. By daylyy’s features, including in-app affirmations, blind likes, private comments and no uploads, the platform firmly supports mental wellbeing and urges users to simply be themselves and no one else. Daylyy links when you feel the freedom to post what you want, whenever you want, you feel good about yourself.