Teens and Social Media: How to Handle the Inevitable

Teens and Social Media: How to Handle the Inevitable June 30, 2019

Take an active interest in your teen’s social media activity.

According to my For Parents Only research with middle school and high school kids, our kids want us to make the effort to understand their life and their world, and be a part it. It sends the message that we care enough about our child and who he or she really is (rather than who we might want them to be) that we’re willing to step into a social environment that may not come naturally, in order to better understand them. It sends the message that they can trust us.

So instead of giving your “disapproving” glance whenever your teen checks their Instagram comments, ask about them. I assume you’re already checking their phone, social media use, and texts (hint, hint), so the next time you take a look and hand back their phone, ask open-ended questions to show your interest. “Who comments the most on what you post?” “What do you think about what Paige said?” “Read me some of your favorite posts!”


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