Coming of age in a Snapchat world: How do I keep my child safe?

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Reddit. As a parent, your instinct is always to protect your child. But how 
do you protect them in the ever-evolving digital landscape? Social media has become a part of our everyday lives and is changing the way we interact with the world around us. According to a study by Common Sense Media, teenagers use an average of nine hours of entertainment media a day and tweens (ages 8-12) use an average of six hours per day. This does not include using media for school or homework. What is the long-term impact of this amount of media exposure on the developing brain? We don’t yet know. What we do know is that it is impossible to prevent your child from using social media. So, how can you help them use it safely? As your child approaches adolescence, you should expect that they: Will want to establish a sense of autonomy (sense of self) and individual identity. This includes seeking independence from you as parents and wanting approval from their friends. Will want privacy and personal space, both online and offline. Will not think like an adult. The tween and teen- age brains are not fully developed, particularly the prefrontal cortex. This area controls executive functioning. These functions include the ability to not act impulsively, think through consequences of behaviors and regulate emotions. Executive functioning skills do not fully develop until your child enters their mid-20s. Social media pitfalls Di...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Ask the Expert Parenting Teen Health ADHD Division of Developmental Medicine social media Source Type: news