In today’s digital age, kids are often exposed to a constant stream of ads and influencers on social media. As parents, it’s important to help them navigate this space so they can make thoughtful choices about what they watch and engage with.
This guide offers practical tips for helping your child think critically about the social media content they consume and for setting healthy boundaries. By doing so, you can help them build a positive, balanced relationship with social media and develop into a thoughtful digital citizen.
Be Curious and Listen
Your child may follow influencers on social media who share interests in gaming, makeup, fashion, or funny videos. Take time to ask them about their favorite accounts and why they enjoy them. Ask out of genuine curiosity, creating a safe space for them to share. Showing interest in their digital world doesn’t mean you have to approve of everything they watch, but it helps you understand their interests and gain insight into their online experiences.
Join Them
A great way to learn more about what your child is watching is to watch some of their favorite videos or social media posts together, or even follow a few accounts yourself. Watching together on their device, or even on a larger screen, like the living room TV, can make this a shared experience. Many kids love it when their parents take an interest in their hobbies, and it can open the door to easier conversations about what they’re watching.
Avoid Being Critical or Judgmental
If you find an influencer loud or annoying, try to keep those thoughts to yourself. This isn’t the time to criticize—especially if you want your child to continue sharing their online life with you. Instead, try to view the content from their perspective. Focus on what your child enjoys about it, and if you have concerns about something they’re watching, offer specific feedback tied to what you’ve seen. Avoiding judgment helps keep communication open and respectful.
Encourage Critical Thinking
Younger kids may find it hard to spot advertising or marketing techniques in influencer content. If an influencer says a product is amazing, kids may believe it without question (or if all their friends are saying the same). So make it a habit to discuss how influencers sometimes promote products as part of their job and help your child recognize when they feel they "need" something they’ve seen. Watching the same content together provides a natural opportunity to discuss these ideas and practice critical thinking skills.
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries around who your child follows is just as important as setting limits for TV or other activities. Getting to know your child’s favorite influencers and channels gives you the chance to decide what’s appropriate for their age. If there’s a channel or influencer you don’t feel is right for them, take time to explain why. For instance, you might say, “This content is meant for older kids,” or, “I don’t like the way they make fun of others, and we don’t support that.”
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Suggest alternatives that align with your family’s values or offer similar content in a more age-appropriate way. Be sure to set parental controls on devices, but keep in mind that not all inappropriate content will be filtered.
