Dear families,
Social media has given us a platform to connect with the world. We keep up with friends and relatives, learn about different cultures and ideas, and share our thoughts with a broad audience. While there are several benefits to social media, it can also be harmful to our community.
Social media can distract our students, disrupt their sleep, expose them to unrealistic beauty standards, bullying, and rumor-spreading. The more we educate ourselves on warning signs and how to monitor students, the better we can help prevent them from these adverse effects.
There are healthy ways to find a balance with social media and reduce related risks. Here are a few tips on how to protect students:
- Set boundaries. Ensure your student has a phone use routine, so their phone does not interfere with their sleep, homework, or other responsibilities.
- Have open discussions. Ask your child why they are using social media and ask if they understand its risks. Ask them how social media makes them feel and have a plan if they start to have negative emotions associated with their use.
- Teach social media etiquette. Discuss appropriate behavior on social media. Ensure they carry their core morals on how to treat others as they interact virtually.
- Set social media rules. For example, making their account private, not allowing them to accept friend requests from strangers. and having restrictions on what type of content they are allowed to post, consume, and share.
Here are some helpful websites for more information on how to protect our students:
- The Family Dinner Project - How to Talk to Teens About Social Media
- Child Mind Institute - Social Media Effects on Teens
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry - Social Media and Teens
At LSSD, we believe in the power of working together to create a healty, thriving community and hope you find these tips helpful. If your child is struggling due to the harmful effects of social media, we encourage you to reach out for help. To access our complimentary coordination services, call 888.515.0595 or visit www.caresolace.com/lssd
