As Gov. Kathy Hockle and state lawmakers agree on a bill to regulate the content that appears in children’s social media feeds, mental health experts How Parents Can Set Boundaries Help your kids safely use apps like TikTok and X.
“I think it’s important to start talking to kids about social media early on, especially if they’re starting to get interested in it.” Dr. Shannon BennettDeputy Director NewYork-Presbyterian Youth Mental Health Centerhe told The Post on Tuesday.
Parents are encouraged to watch media alongside their children, especially young ones, and Bennett said when that’s not possible, it’s important to put safeguards in place to protect kids from harmful content.
When creating a family social media plan, parents should consider not only the amount of screen time their children will be allowed, but also how to balance screen time with other activities, such as outdoor play, reading, socializing with friends, etc. Parents should choose sites that they deem appropriate.
“Ideally, even for older children, parents should be able to access their children’s social media channels to check for inappropriate content, bullying, etc. [chatter] “That could be heading in a direction that parents feel uncomfortable about,” Bennett said.
“Ideally, parents should be aware of who their kids are connecting with online because it’s so easy for kids to connect with people they don’t know and don’t even know what they’re saying,” she added.
The New York bill would require social media companies to show kids chronologically the posts from the accounts they follow, rather than letting algorithms determine the content they see.
In addition, parental permission is required to send notifications to children late at night or early in the morning.
The groundbreaking proposal still needs to be approved by Congress and signed by Hawkle to become law, but it wouldn’t go into effect immediately because lawmakers need to write implementing rules. It would also likely face legal challenges.
In the meantime, Bennett recommends talking to your kids about the role of algorithms on social media.
“[Teenagers] “They don’t want to feel like they’re being controlled, taken advantage of or tricked,” Bennett explains.[Have them] Understand that there are algorithms here and there are people making money off of you. That’s the purpose… This isn’t just for your entertainment.”
Bennett added: “The more children understand, the more they may be able to make responsible choices for themselves.”
Researchers have linked excessive social media use to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, body image issues and sleep disorders in teens, and kids are spending more time online than ever before.
51% of American teens recently I spend at least 4 hours a day on social media. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recommends limits. Screen time for children: Children aged 18-24 months should only watch educational programming accompanied by a parent or guardian.
For children ages 2 to 5, non-educational screen time should be limited to about one hour on weekdays and three hours on weekends. Older children should be encouraged to develop healthy screen habits.
Tips for Setting Social Media Boundaries for Kids
- Have these conversations early and often: technology evolves and so do kids’ interests.
- Tell your kids the rules: “This is something we do together. You can only watch one channel.” [are] “It’s up to you whether I allow it or not because I want to make sure I’m looking at the right things,” Bennett said.
- Talk to your kids about how they feel before and after using social media. “They can also learn to tune into their own feelings. [and ask themselves]”Is this a good way for me to spend my time, or are there better activities out there?” Bennett wondered.
- Watch for signs of addiction, such as withdrawal, avoidance, anxiety, and depression. “If you’re having a really hard time stepping away from social media and screens, [if] “They may become really distressed or lash out,” Bennett explains, “which is probably a sign that detox is important — they need a few days or more away from screens to reset.”
