“5 Shocking Social Media Traps Your Teen Could Fall Into (And How to Prevent Them!)”

With the vast majority of teenagers using social media platforms, parents are rightfully concerned about their children’s online safety and well-being. Clinical psychologist Emily Kline offers valuable insights on how parents can help their teens navigate the digital landscape more securely.

Kline suggests five key strategies for safeguarding teens’ social media use. The first recommendation is to “always keep social media profiles private.” Many adolescents accumulate thousands of followers by the time they finish high school, which can pose potential risks.

According to Kline, author of “The School of Hard Talks: How to Have Real Conversations with Your (Almost Grown) Kids,” parents should engage in open dialogue with their teens about privacy settings. She advises, “If your teen resists making their accounts private, try to understand their perspective by asking what you might be missing about their desired use of the platform.”

Online safety experts emphasize the importance of being cautious with friend and follow requests. Parents should guide their teens to accept requests only from individuals they know personally and who have authentic profiles. When in doubt, teens should consult their parents about suspicious requests.

Kline also recommends that young users avoid sharing full names or birthdates online. She suggests creating an alias as a creative alternative to protect personal information.

The second tip is to “never post harmful or embarrassing content.” This includes refraining from sharing screenshots of private conversations or embarrassing photos and videos of others, as such actions can escalate into cyberbullying.

Kline encourages parents to foster empathy in their teens by discussing the impact of such behavior. “Ask your child if they’ve witnessed anything like that or if they might be tempted to do it to someone else,” she advises.

Research indicates that online bullying can have more severe psychological consequences than in-person bullying. To combat this, experts suggest strategies such as developing a child’s self-esteem, modeling positive communication, and providing opportunities for face-to-face connections.

The third recommendation is to “never treat social media as a ‘kids-only’ space.” Parents should be aware that online predators may pose as teenagers, and harmful content can come from users of any age. Kline suggests occasionally sitting with teens as they scroll through their feeds to observe the content they’re exposed to.

The fourth tip reminds teens that “not everything needs to be recorded.” Kline emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and putting phones away during certain activities. This practice helps reinforce that social media doesn’t represent a complete picture of someone’s life.

Finally, Kline advises to “never avoid talking about social media with family.” Regular conversations about social media use, new apps, and online experiences can help parents stay informed and provide guidance. “If you hope to influence what comes next, it’s through conversations with teens,” Kline explains. “That way, they understand your reasoning and are more likely to come to you with problems.”

By implementing these strategies and maintaining open communication, parents can help their teens develop healthier and safer social media habits.