When did you allow your children to use social media? My son is 11 and wants to use social media sites, not Facebook but others and I have always refused to let him. I know that alot of his peers are doing it and he wants to do the same but I am not keen at all. Advice please?
3 Replies
My son (13) only uses Instagram and has done so for a few years, although he rarely uses it. He is only allowed to follow friends and family and has his account set as private. He isn't interested in Snapchat or FB at this stage. He has his friends FaceTime a lot out of school hours which is fine by me.
Stick to your guns, you are the parent. A lot of my sons friends have Facebook and other social media and all my son has is a phone and he's not allowed to give out the number. He's almost 10. I don't believe in giving them what they want just because they want it. I'd make him wait until he hits the correct age no point in allowing him to become a target of online bullying until it's necessary.
Its really up to you. If you decide to let him use it, educate yourself fully about the sites and what they allow, age restrictions, privacy etc. I went to a really eye opening lecture by a former WA Policeman about this and it is terrifying what is out there. That said, I am of the belief that it is better to educate and let them use these things under guidance. Look into parental controls that will let you restrict times they are on their devices and what content is accessed and talk with your son about agreed rules. Example: when my daughter's father moved to Melbourne, we allowed her to have Facebook. I set it up myself, set all her security settings and she is for the moment NOT allowed friends, only a handful of family members. She now wants instagram but I have said we will discuss it when she is 12. But at the same time, if you aren't comfortable with it, you are within your rights as his mum to say no.