This is How to Accompany Children Healthy Associate on Social Media

Mother of a teenage child suddenly asked to make a social media account like his friends. Even though his age has not yet reached the age limit the conditions for creating the account. Mother is also worried that she is not ready to interact in cyberspace. What should be done? Actually the virtual world, including social media, is no different from the real world. Children who will enter social media, should be given preparation. Do not let the media that should be useful in adding networks of information, friendship and knowledge, in fact can cause bad effects for children who are not ready.

Social Media and Self Confidence

Mother realize it or not, social media can build or drop a person's confidence, especially children. Like adults, children might also check how many people like the photos or videos they upload. Also check how many followers his account. The small number of accounts that follow or like the upload might make it less confident. He can also believe that how he looks on social media is more important than developing what he has, and often he forgets to explore his potential in the real world. Therefore, it is important for Mother and Father to accompany children, by providing the right portion for social media. The way Mother and Father use social media will more or less influence the way children use their own account. Respecting others is one of the important principles in using social media. One of them, when you will upload photos of your child on social media, it's a good idea to ask him first, if he wants your photos to be seen by your friends, or even the public. If he refuses, you should respect his wishes. Mother and Father must also be an example of how social media can be used for positive things. As a first step, Mother can provide social media access only from a computer or laptop, and not on a cell phone (cellphone). Place the computer or laptop in an easily monitored home location. If the child uses a cellphone, it is better to provide a time limit for use so that the child does not use it excessively and can still focus on learning.

Tips for Minimizing the Negative Effects of Social Media

Every time you talk about social media, avoid being judgmental so that your child is calm and not suspicious of Mother's curiosity. This is important so that he is open to his interactions in cyberspace. As a guide, below are a few things that children must be told before giving permission to have an account on social media:

• Think before uploading

Encourage him to think repeatedly before uploading anything on social media. Mother needs to get used to thinking about the consequences of each upload that can be seen by many people. Mother needs to remind him that like in the real world, not everyone he meets in cyberspace is a good person, not everyone will like, or be able to accept what we upload. In addition, Mother can also tell children how to report if there is inappropriate material that he found on the internet.

• Obey minimum age

Mother can explain the minimum age rules that are set for children to access social media and why. It would be better if this rule were obeyed. Generally 13 years is the age when children are first allowed to access and create social media accounts. This rule was made because at this age children are assumed to be able to interact on social media more wisely. But in reality, many children can create accounts before that age by using parents' email addresses or faking their birth years. In fact, not infrequently, that action gets parental consent. In this case, parents are the key to restricting access.

• Discuss negative effects

Although there are clearly many benefits, cases that endanger children due to interaction in cyberspace also cannot be ignored. Starting from kidnapping, harassment (bully), to the possibility of depression. Mother can invite children to talk about various negative risks that may arise from their interactions in cyberspace, and provide examples of cases that have occurred.

• Follow child social media accounts

Follow your child's social media accounts to find out what is uploaded and their interactions with other users. Mother can also pay attention to the account of who she is following and who follows it. Although children can create other accounts that you do not know about, but at least the closeness between you and her can ensure that she is always open to telling her.

• Teach about account privacy controls

Teach children to set privacy (privacy settings) to control who can and cannot see their profile. If a child uploads a video, Mother can ask the child to arrange the video so that it can't be opened by just anyone. If left without settings, the video is generally accessible to anyone who is surfing in cyberspace. Remind that he must be prepared with the consequences, such as getting various comments that are not uncommon to hurt.

• Location markers should not be activated

Mother needs to remind the child to turn off location markers (geotagging). Location markers put children at risk of crime, because the location of daily activities can be more easily identified.

• Filter software and applications

There is software that can be used on a laptop or computer to monitor children's internet usage. There are also those who can filter data searches with certain keywords. Likewise with applications that can be used on mobile phones. Mother can begin to learn which is the most appropriate for the child.

With healthy interactions on social media, children are expected to be able to learn positive things for self-development and avoid the negative effects. Do not hesitate to consult with a child psychologist, if the influence of social media is felt alarming for the psychological condition and growth and development.