Family social media contracts keep kids safer online
Pre-teens are using social media apps like Facebook Messenger Kids and Google+ while psychologists, doctors and educators sound alarms about cyber-bullying, pornography, self-harm videos and other dangerous content.
In order to shield kids from these hazards as they begin to use social media, some families use social media contracts that set healthy boundaries for online safety by including agreements from both parents and children.
A family social media contract can begin with a statement of purpose, such as:
God has entrusted us to nurture your spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical development. That means protecting you from dangerous situations. We recognize that you want to use social media, but we want to make sure you are safe. This contract reflects our love for you, our values and our family culture.
The body of the contract includes the agreements. For example, the child agrees to:
Families may also include ways to emphasize offline activities: shared family hobbies, screen time limits, or requirements for time spent in active or outdoor play. Limits may be set regarding what devices, times and places social media use is allowed.
Beyond the contract, building trust helps kids talk to parents about their online life, both good and bad. By communicating unconditional love to your child and listening respectfully when they bring up difficult subjects, you show them they can trust that you are on their side as they face increasingly complex challenges.
Social media pose risks to our kids, but as parents we can protect them best by openly discussing pros and cons, setting loving boundaries and staying engaged in our kids’ online and offline lives. We want our children to act with integrity and build strong relationships in every sphere of life. With our support, they can face the challenges of social media in ways that move them toward that goal.
Find out more about keeping your kids safe online.
In order to shield kids from these hazards as they begin to use social media, some families use social media contracts that set healthy boundaries for online safety by including agreements from both parents and children.
A family social media contract can begin with a statement of purpose, such as:
God has entrusted us to nurture your spiritual, emotional, intellectual and physical development. That means protecting you from dangerous situations. We recognize that you want to use social media, but we want to make sure you are safe. This contract reflects our love for you, our values and our family culture.
The body of the contract includes the agreements. For example, the child agrees to:
- Never knowingly access inappropriate content
- Never harass or threaten others on social media
- Tell their parents immediately about abusive behavior towards them or someone else
- Engage in ongoing conversations about online safety with their children
- Monitor their children’s social media accounts at reasonable intervals
- Not overreact if they find something that needs to be addressed
Families may also include ways to emphasize offline activities: shared family hobbies, screen time limits, or requirements for time spent in active or outdoor play. Limits may be set regarding what devices, times and places social media use is allowed.
Beyond the contract, building trust helps kids talk to parents about their online life, both good and bad. By communicating unconditional love to your child and listening respectfully when they bring up difficult subjects, you show them they can trust that you are on their side as they face increasingly complex challenges.
Social media pose risks to our kids, but as parents we can protect them best by openly discussing pros and cons, setting loving boundaries and staying engaged in our kids’ online and offline lives. We want our children to act with integrity and build strong relationships in every sphere of life. With our support, they can face the challenges of social media in ways that move them toward that goal.
Find out more about keeping your kids safe online.
