Pre-teen girls and social media are here to stay. Every tween wants a phone, and with it, could come social media. For parents, it's the unknown that leaves them wary. For tweens, it can be a new sense of freedom and an outlet to express themselves. How can both parent and pre-teen come to an agreement on boundaries for this new type of freedom and feel comfortable?
The first step should be to help develop a healthy mindset:
Like it or not, your pre-teen has already been subjected to social media. If you've given her your phone, she most likely knows how it all works by experimenting with it herself or with her friends phones. If you've decided to get your pre-teen a phone, set some boundaries, using the pros and cons of social media, including examples. Boundaries include, only following people you know, as well as not posting content you don't feel comfortable sharing with everyone. Explain to your pre-teen it's not only what you post, but what your friends post of you as well.
Step two encourages monitoring:
Once you've discussed the pros and cons, it's time to observe. Without breathing down her neck, monitor her mood. Has it changed in a week or a month? Is she still her goofy self, or has she become reserved? Social media can bring friends together, but it can also tear down a healthy self-esteem. Ensure your tween is well equipped to handle cyber-bullying and negative
comments, as well as being exposed to inappropriate behaviors.
Step three promotes activities:
The phone shouldn't be your tween's only social outlet. Quarantine has proved to be a detriment during this time. Sports, clubs, and social gatherings would normally take up 80% of her life, leaving only 20% for the phone. The best case scenario would be for her to be so busy, she wouldn't have time for social media to be a dominant factor. Find alternative activities for either the two of you, family, or friends to do together that's not technology-based.
The last step discusses the positive effects:
Explain the advantages of social media to your tween. Colleges and employers are able to use social media as a means of gathering information for prospective students or employees. Encourage your pre-teen to post positive information and photos depicting a healthy, happy mindset. Being aware of safety precautions, what to post, and the longevity of posts will help with her long-term goals. Educating your tween on the rules of the game at an early age will better equip her, and prevent her from posting anything inappropriate. It could also aid her in getting into her dream college or job one day.
If you enjoy my blogs, please consider purchasing Book 1 of my series, The Rebecca Chronicles. The topics in my blogs are a direct reflection of what I write in my books.
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