Like it or not, social media is part of our children’s lives and, given rapid changes in technology, it is usually right at their fingertips.  David Heinrichs, Pastor of Youth and Education at Christ Community Church, visited MGCS for a parent seminar to discuss ways to help children navigate the evolving world of social media. David offered the following thoughts:

1. UNDERSTAND THAT KIDS HAVE A LEGITIMATE CONCERN ABOUT BEING LEFT OUT.

Although often misleading, pictures on social media of events, parties and activities make it easy for kids to feel like they missed something big and important.  Be aware of this and talk to your child about these feelings.  Assure them that they WILL miss out on some things, and that it is OK.

2. AVOID IRRELEVANCE. 

Ignoring social media is not an option for parents.   Even if your child does not have any social media accounts, they are surrounded by kids who do.  A wise course of action is to educate yourself and set up accounts on social media sites popular with your children and their friends. Commonsensemedia.com lists 15 social media apps that kids are using.  Check them out.

3. SOCIAL MEDIA FASTING

Help your children maintain prospective and disrupt social media momentum by regularly fasting as a family from non-essential screen time. Practice limiting this for a few hours then build up to a whole day, then a week.  Kids can live without screens.  Life is to be experienced not observed and commented on via a screen. Talk more, text less!

4. MONITOR

Monitor your child’s texts and social media accounts and don’t allow kids to be alone with devices connected to the internet.  Privacy is not a right.  When your children ask you, “Don’t you trust me?” remind them that as believers, we all need accountability.   Things to watch for include:  building new relationships with social media, posting or texting “bikini” or other inappropriate pictures, and gossipy posts and texts.

5. GOSSIPING IS NOT A SMALL PROBLEM

Recognize what gossiping is and talk to your child about it.  The Bible tells us that one of Satan’s names is “accuser.”  Gossip accuses others, and by participating in it, we are aligning ourselves with Satan and his kingdom.  Given the speed and reach of social media, gossiping is more damaging than ever. Cyber-gossiping and cyber-bullying has proven devastating.  Remind your children of the possible results of a gossipy post.