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Social Media
Dear Northwood parents and caregivers,
We want to remind parents and guardians to monitor children’s use of social media and online communication. Some social media apps are structured in a way that allow users to say pretty harmful things about each other. Kids may engage in these messages directly or just see them on friends’ accounts. These kinds of interactions can cause students to feel anxious and depressed, even if they’re not directly involved in the unkind exchanges.
This behavior is not a reflection of the student's character. Some social media apps were developed to take advantage of children and profit from these interactions. One of the worst offenders, sendit, allows one user to post anonymously about another user and then charges a hefty fee for that person to see who posted the comment. Sendit is used in conjunction with Snapchat or other social media apps.
Another risk of social media is children being exposed to images, language, and content that are inappropriate or that they're not yet developmentally ready for. Children may also unknowingly interact with other kids or adults who do not have their best interests in mind. We recommend talking to your child about their online experiences and specifically ask about who they're talking to.
Research shows that social media use can positively and negatively affect children. Children report a mix of good and bad experiences on social media platforms, often depending on their social-emotional state at the time. We can look at this "problem" as an opportunity to teach our children how to use social media responsibly.
Social media is still uncharted territory, and as parents/guardians, we can help our children navigate social media. We can do this in a few ways:
- We can educate ourselves about the social media our children are exposed to.
- We can have open and honest conversations with our children about social media's positive and negative effects.
- We can monitor and control their access to and use of social media.
Most of us didn't have access to social media as children; it can seem daunting to figure it all out. Every child is different, so we, as parents, decide how to approach social media use. Common Sense Media is a fantastic resource for parents and caregivers to learn more about the social media that our children are engaging in. Browse the website to find tons more valuable information! I have provided links below to the more popular social media apps.
Parenting, Media, and Everything in Between | Common Sense Media
Parents' Ultimate Guide to Snapchat | Common Sense Media
Parents' Ultimate Guide to TikTok | Common Sense Media
What Are Some Basic Social Media Rules for Middle Schoolers? | Common Sense Media
How to Help Teens Manage the Effects of Social Media on Their Mental Health | Common Sense Media
In March, Northwood School will be offering a parent night presented by the New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. We hope you'll join us!
Have a wonderful weekend!
~ Fay Aucella & Jocelyn Young
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