{"id":169685,"date":"2024-08-19T10:16:27","date_gmt":"2024-08-19T17:16:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=169685"},"modified":"2024-08-19T10:17:00","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T17:17:00","slug":"5-minute-parents-guide-to-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/5-minute-parents-guide-to-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Minute Parent\u2019s Guide to Social Media"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The time has come. Your kids are chafing at the bit to get on social media and you can no longer hold them back. But you\u2019re terrified. <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2018What if they say the wrong thing? What if they meet some unsavoury types or worst case, what if they get bullied?<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019 I hear you \u2013 everything you are concerned about is completely normal and totally valid. But this is not the time to put your head in the sand people, tempting as it is.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So, make yourself a cuppa. I\u2019m going to run you through the basics so you can get your offspring (and yourself) through this quite significant moment in the best shape possible.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How Old Does My Child Need To Be?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ah, such a tricky question!! While there is no specific Aussie law that dictates the minimum age kids need to be to join social media, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">most social media platforms require their users to be 13 years old<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to set up an account. This is a result of a US federal law, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">the Children&#8217;s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> , which affects any social media platform that US citizens can join. So, therefore it affects nearly all social media platforms worldwide.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But let\u2019s keep it real \u2013 most kids join before they are 13. Some do with the consent of their parents, but many don\u2019t. So, if your kids are consulting you on their move into social media, then pat yourself on the back. You\u2019ve done a great job of keeping the lines of communication open and staying relevant. But if yours just charged ahead without involving you (like some of mine did) then it\u2019s still not too late to be part of their journey.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In my opinion, there is no simple answer. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn\u2019t work here. Some kids mature faster than their peers, others may have a bigger dose of emotional intelligence and instinctively understand the ramifications of poor online behaviour. Some kids are more resilient and robust while others are more sensitive. There are so many things to consider when advising but ultimately, this is your call as a parent.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How Can I Keep Them Safe?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This is where many of us can come unstuck because it can feel so overwhelming knowing where to start. But don\u2019t worry \u2013 I\u2019ve got you. I\u2019m going to give you 5 things that you can action that will make a huge difference to your kids\u2019 online safety. And these strategies are relevant to all of us parents \u2013 regardless of whether your kids are new to social media or old hands!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">1. Communication, Communication, Communication<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I can\u2019t stress enough just how important it is to have real conversations with your kids about all aspects of their lives, including the digital part. Asking them what they do online, why they like a certain app, and who they play online games with are just some of the ways of starting a conversation. I am also a fan of sharing details of your online life with them too. Whether it&#8217;s sharing new apps with my kids, funny posts, or relevant news articles, I think if I regularly demonstrate that I get social media then I generate a little \u2018tech cred\u2019. And when you\u2019ve got \u2018tech cred\u2019, they are more likely to come to you when things aren\u2019t going swimmingly. And that\u2019s exactly what we want as parents!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">2. Create a Family Digital Contract<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:256}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I love the idea of a clear contract between parents and kids that details your expectations about their online behaviour and technology use. It\u2019s a great way of developing a set of guidelines that will help them navigate some of the risks and challenges associated with being online. Now, this agreement should be a family exercise so ensure your kids are invested in the process too. If you want a starting point, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/McAfeeDeviceAgreement.pdf\">McAfee&#8217;s Family Device Agreement<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">3. Passwords<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Without a doubt, one of the most powerful ways to stay safe online is to ensure you have super duper passwords for each of your online accounts. So, take some time to ensure your kids have got this covered. Every online account needs its own individual password that should have no link to your child\u2019s name, school, family, or favourite pet. I\u2019m a big fan of a crazy sentence \u2013 I find they are easier to remember. If you include at least one capital letter, a few numbers, and symbols then you\u2019re doing well. Password managers can be a great way of remembering and also generating complex passwords. These can be a godsend when your list of online accounts grows. All you need to do is remember the master password. How good!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And ensure they know to NEVER share passwords. Tell them that passwords are like toothbrushes \u2013 never to be shared! That always worked with my boys!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">4. Turn Privacy Settings On<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Unless you are proactive, privacy settings on social media platforms will remain on the default setting which usually means public. Now, this means that anyone who has access to the internet can view the posts and photos that you share whether you want them to or not. Now, this is not ideal for anyone but particularly not a young tween who is trying to find their feet online.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">So, take some time to help your kids turn activate the privacy settings on all their online accounts. Turning their profile to private will give them more control over who can see their content and what people can tag them in<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">5. Get Technology Working for You<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:254}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There is some amazing technology that can really help you, help your kids stay safe. Installing security software on your kids\u2019 devices is essential. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-au\/identity-theft\/protection.html?path=blogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">McAfee+<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, McAfee\u2019s new \u2018all in one\u2019 privacy, identity, and device protection is a fantastic way to ensure all your family members are protected online. It features identity monitoring and a password manager but also an unlimited VPN, a file shredder, protection score and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/learn\/parental-controls\/\">parental controls<\/a>. A complete no-brainer!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">My absolute hope is that your kids\u2019 social media career is smooth sailing. However, with four kids of my own, I know that curveballs and challenges are often inevitable. But if you\u2019ve developed an open line of communication with your kids and possibly even generated a little \u2018tech cred\u2019, then it is likely they will reach out to you if things go awry.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Depending on the issue they are experiencing, you may just need to talk them through the situation. Perhaps they need help understanding they should have expressed something in a less inflammatory way or that they may be over-reacting to a comment. It may be helpful for you to work with them to develop an action plan or formulate a response to someone who is perhaps being a bit tricky.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">But if they have experienced behaviour that you consider to be unacceptable, then you may need to take further action. I always recommend taking screenshots of concerning behaviour online. These may be important if you need to take further action down the track. Once you\u2019ve taken screenshots, then block the person who is causing your child grief. You can also report the behaviour to the social media platform. If the perpetrator goes to the same school as your child, then I would approach the school and ask them to assist. If the situation is super serious, you can always <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.esafety.gov.au\/report\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">report it to the Office of our ESafety Commissioner in Australia<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> or the Police who can both work with social media platforms.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Congratulations! You have completed the basic course in social media parenting. I know letting them go can feel quite terrifying, but I know that if you cover off the basics and keep talking to them, then you\u2019re setting them up for success online.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Over to you now, mum and dad!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Good luck!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Alex <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The time has come. Your kids are chafing at the bit to get on social media and you can no&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":932,"featured_media":199006,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[15816,15441,15817],"coauthors":[5150],"class_list":["post-169685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-safety","tag-parents-guide-to-social-media","tag-social-media-safety","tag-social-media-safety-tips"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>5 Minute Parent\u2019s Guide to Social Media | McAfee Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The time has come. Your kids are chafing at the bit to get on social media and you can no longer hold them back. 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