Many parents worry about the amount of time their kids spend using screens, whether it’s watching their favorite shows or playing games on tablets and consoles, browsing YouTube or TikTok, or scrolling through other social media platforms. While there are some risks associated with excessive screen use, including negative mental health effects and exposure to inappropriate content, these devices and social media platforms can provide many benefits when used in a safe and healthy manner. They’re sources of entertainment and learning tools that provide kids with an easy way to communicate with their friends.
Here are some tips for parents to make sure their kids have a safe and enjoyable experience online and that they use their digital devices in a healthy manner.
Establish Rules for Screen Time
First and foremost, parents should set clear boundaries around screen use, both in terms of the time spent on devices and when and where it is appropriate to use them. Younger children, in particular, need clear guidance and consistent routines for healthy development.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) recommends that children between the ages of 2 and 5 should spend no more than one hour per day during the week on screens and three hours on Saturday and Sunday. Screen usage should also be restricted before bed,as it can contribute to poor sleep.
Make Use of Parental Controls
Parents of younger children can easily manage their kids’ screen time usage by setting password-protected daily time limits on tablets and other devices. Controlling how and when older kids use their devices is a little more complex. However, there are many privacy and security controls that parents should know about and implement for social media platforms. TikTok and Instagram are two of the most popular apps among teenagers, and both of these offer a variety of tools and resources for safe usage.
Set Screen Time Limits
Parents of younger children can easily manage their kids’ screen time usage by setting password-protected daily time limits on tablets and other devices. Controlling how and when older kids use their devices is a little more complex. However, there are many privacy and security controls that parents should know about and implement for social media platforms. TikTok and Instagram are two of the most popular apps among teenagers, and both of these offer a variety of tools and resources for safe usage.
TikTok has a Family Pairing mode that includes resources and features for parents to customize safety settings for their kids’ accounts. It also has a Restricted Mode and Comment Care Mode, both of which give parents control of what their children see and how they interact with content on the app. In Restricted Mode, for instance, users cannot go live or access the “Following” feed. TikTok also has keyword filters, allowing parents to restrict certain content.
Instagram, meanwhile, offers teen accounts for children aged 13-17 that feature built-in restrictions on the content they see and who can message them. These accounts are automatically set to private and they can only be tagged, mentioned, or contacted by accounts that they already follow. Offensive and misleading comments are also hidden on teen accounts.
Educate Your Child about Social Media Risks
Parental controls are helpful, but kids also need to be aware of the risks of using social media and understand that what they post can have negative consequences. Parents should teach their kids to limit what they share on social media, particularly in regard to personal information such as their birthday and the school they attend, as this can make them easy targets for online predators. Kids also need to know that posting hateful speech or inappropriate photos can hurt their reputation and even affect their future job prospects.
Parents should also educate their kids on the potentially negative consequences of too much screen time, including an increased risk of depression and anxiety. Texting, video chatting, and watching videos were among the activities most closely linked to depressive symptoms in a 2024 study by researchers at the University of California San Francisco on the long-term effects of excessive screen time. The study revealed that teenagers were spending an average of 8.5 hours on their screens for non-educational reasons.
Be Available and Receptive
Even with parental controls and proper education, many children are going to make mistakes. Whether they’ve come across something they shouldn’t see, had someone contact them under suspicious circumstances, or posted something inappropriate, children need to know that they can come to their parents for help. Parents should regularly discuss safe online habits with their children and let them know that they’re always available to discuss any issues they might have.
Stay Informed
The digital world is rapidly transforming with new apps, trends, and technologies. It’s important for parents to stay informed about these topics so they can understand the potential dangers they pose. Ask your kids about their favorite apps and how they use them and regularly monitor their device usage.
