5 Ways to Support Your Teen’s Online Wellbeing
Accessing new opportunities, staying connected with loved ones, and community building are just a few of the amazing benefits that the digital world can bring. However, its everchanging nature can be incredibly overwhelming and be a challenge for parents to feel in control of what their tweens and teens have access to. Issues such as unhealthy comparisons on social media, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content can also be detrimental and potentially affect your teen's mental health. In this article, we cover how, as a parent, you can help to support your teen’s online wellbeing.
1. Stay Informed
As a busy professional juggling a career, family time, and self-care, finding the chance to stay updated on the latest online teen trends can seem like a huge task, especially if you're not social media savvy. However, staying informed is one of the first steps you can take to help protect your teen's online wellbeing.
To remain educated, consider listening to podcasts, checking ‘trending’ tabs on social media platforms, or subscribing to relevant newsletters. If you’re more limited for time, podcasts are particularly convenient as you can listen to them during your commute or while you’re tackling other tasks around the house, for example.
2. Empower Your Teen Through Education
You don’t have to be a digital expert to teach your child about online safety and the possibly harmful implications of social media. Try to have open conversations, highlighting areas such as the importance of not posting their live location, the meaning of a digital footprint, being cautious about accepting friend or follow requests from strangers, and understanding that not everything they see online is real. Try and emphasise that comparing themselves to images on social media can be damaging to their mental health.
Keep these discussions going and help your teen stay informed as you learn more or share your existing knowledge of the digital space. These regular discussions can help them navigate the online world more safely and confidently.
3. Use Parental Controls
Setting boundaries with teens can be tough, whether that’s in the real world, or online. The specific rules you decide on are, of course, a personal decision and should be catered to your family's needs. But parental controls such as blocking inappropriate content, monitoring broadband usage, or limiting screen time can be a great way to help protect your teen, without them feeling as though you’re restricting all their freedoms. Plus, parental controls can be adjusted as your teen grows and demonstrates more responsibility.
Again, open communication between you and your teen is key to helping them understand why you’ve put in these measures. Talk with your teen about why these boundaries are in place and how they benefit their online wellbeing.
4. Model Healthy Online Behaviour
It’s important to demonstrate healthy online behaviour yourself so that your teen is more inclined to take on board your advice. Even if you're not active on social media, you might struggle with balancing work emails and personal time, for example. While this isn't the same as comparing yourself on social media, not being able to switch off from work online, can still negatively impact your mental wellbeing.
If you are active on social media, follow the same precautions you set for your child, such as not sharing your live location and being mindful of your digital footprint. By modelling these behaviours, you can set a positive example for your teen to follow.
5. Encourage Offline Hobbies
Learning to balance the online and offline worlds can be hugely valuable for teens. Finding fulfilment through real-life hobbies can offer numerous benefits, such as improving confidence, reducing stress, and providing the opportunity to make new friends. Engaging in activities like sports, arts, music, or volunteering can help your teen develop new skills and interests, creating a sense of achievement and giving them breathing space from their devices. You might even want to brainstorm ideas together for new hobbies they might be interested in trying to make the process more enjoyable for you both. For more tips on how to encourage your teen to take up a new hobby, read our previous article.
For more information on keeping your child safe online, please refer to our previous articles:
