{"id":178427,"date":"2023-12-06T06:53:46","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T14:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=178427"},"modified":"2024-11-21T18:45:01","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T02:45:01","slug":"do-i-really-need-to-be-on-snapchat-to-be-a-good-digital-parent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/do-i-really-need-to-be-on-snapchat-to-be-a-good-digital-parent\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I Really Need to be on Snapchat to be a Good Digital Parent?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you had to count the number of social media platforms your teen uses, I wonder what the score would be? 2, 5 or maybe even more? Well, surprisingly <\/span>research from our Aussie eSafety Commissioner shows that Aussie kids use an average of 4 social media services<\/span><\/a>. I bet you thought it would be more. I did! So, maybe this means we don\u2019t need to worry too much about joining and understanding these platforms? Surely their skills must be quite polished if there are only using four platforms? Wrong!! Being a good digital parent means we need to take the time to understand our kids\u2019 digital world \u2013 even when we think they have a handle on it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My Top Tip Ever \u2013 Get Involved\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Over the last 12 years in my job as Cybermum, I\u2019ve shared an abundance of advice. But if I had to pick the most important piece it is this \u2013 the absolute best way to keep your kids safe online is to commit to understanding your kids\u2019 online world, particularly when they are starting out on their digital journey. So, if they are on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok then you need to sign up, and spend time understanding how it works. If they love Minecraft, Fortnite or Among Us \u2013 then you now do too! I\u2019m sure you\u2019re figuring out the pattern by now\u2026<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Getting Involved Means You\u2019ll Earn Some Tech Cred<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

I\u2019m not sure how it works for you but one thing that does NOT work for me is listening to advice from someone who has no relevant experience. To be honest, it really grinds my gears!! So, isn\u2019t it logical that our teens would feel the same? I honestly don\u2019t think we can expect them to take advice from us about online safety if we have no lived experience. In my opinion, experience = credibility.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, when you join Snapchat or Instagram not only are you learning about your child\u2019s digital life but you\u2019re also developing credibility which may just be the most important ingredient in keeping your kids safe online. Because if and when your kids find themselves in tricky situation online, they will be far more likely to come to you with a problem if they know you understand how it all works.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Forget \u2013 You\u2019re The Role Model<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Taylor Swift<\/span><\/a> fandom is massive in Australia right now. With many taking days off work to secure tickets to her upcoming shows and a hot movie release, you\u2019d be hard pressed to find many young girls who don\u2019t think she is the \u2018bees knees\u2019. And if your sons are made keen <\/span>Le Bron<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Tom Brady<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>Nathan Cleary<\/span><\/a> fans then they wouldn\u2019t be alone \u2013 my sons are all in awe of these spectacular athletes. But despite all the hype and the potential influence from these celebrities, I need to remind you of one very important thing \u2013 you are the most important role model for your kids. You hold the greatest influence in their decision making and value setting.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your kids see you using the same platforms they use in a healthy, balanced way \u2013 then you really have a tonne of ability to help them develop positive digital habits. Your \u2018tech cred\u2019 will mean they are even more likely to pick up on your habits. So, make sure you have a healthy mix of digital and non-digital activities into your life. Consider:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n