Age of Use
Research shows that social media has significant effects on the mental, emotional, and social development of children. Therefore, many social media platforms have set the age limit for use at 13.
Social Media Risks for Children Under 13
- Platforms do not allow children under 13 to open social media accounts.
- When children open accounts by misrepresenting their age, this is both against the rules and the child moves away from the principle of honesty at the very first step.
- Developmentally, this age group does not have the cognitive maturity to accurately assess the risks they may encounter in the digital world.
The Role of Parents
- Children under 13 can use social media only under parental supervision, by looking at the same screen together and talking about the content.
- In this process, it is important to chat with the child about the content, teach the distinction between right and wrong, and instill the habit of safe internet use.
Security Settings for Children Over 13
- Follower list: Parents should set who can follow their child.
- Posts: Photos and videos should only be shared with known individuals.
- Comment and message permissions: Only trusted individuals should be able to comment or send messages.
- Location sharing: Most applications have a location feature; this setting should be kept off.
Psychological Perspective
- Every photo or post on social media is just like opening the door of your house to everyone. Protecting your children's privacy strengthens their sense of security and self-esteem.
- Social media use at an early age can increase the risk of distraction, low self-perception through comparison, and cyberbullying in children.
- Parents should manage this process with a guiding and co-exploring attitude rather than prohibiting it.
The safety of your children in the digital world begins with your awareness.