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Teenagers and the internet are like thread and needle. Almost all teens have access to a smartphone, and 45% say they are online consistently, according to a 2018 Pew Internet and American Life Project survey.
It may be beneficial for parents to learn more about how online platforms and social media influence teens’ lives. When informed, parents can make the best decisions about their teenagers and the Internet. This information will help monitor and equip the children with the skills they need to use social media responsibly.
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Below are five tips on how to protect your child as an African American.
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Have a Conversation with Your Child
Several online threats target teenagers, and these include black teens. These threats are cyberbullying, sexting, or identity theft. No matter how technologically savvy teenagers are with the internet, you need to sit them down and have conversations about internet safety.
Lead the conversation, but create room for your child to open up about challenges they may be facing regarding the internet. You can talk to them about online threats they should be careful about and how to spot them.
You’ll also want to build friendships with your teenage children so they can approach you with any issues they may face. Be attentive, listen to their concerns, and provide effective guidance based on parental love.
Secure Your Child’s Devices
Teenagers and the internet are like best friends. It’s hard to separate them. The best you can do is to protect them by securing their smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Help them install and update security on their devices. You can also help to change passwords periodically and activate two-factor authentication.
Another way to secure your teenager’s devices is to review their privacy settings to make sure they are safe. Besides, talk to your children about your family’s online safety and privacy and how they should conduct themselves online.
Further, you can use parental protection apps to monitor your child’s digital footprint without invading their privacy.
Set Screen Time Rules
Most teenagers may view rules as punishment and hesitate to comply the first time. However, help them understand screen time rules are for their safety.
Set rules to limit the time your teenagers spend online and leave their phones in the living room before bedtime. This will prevent them from using the phone until late into the night.
More importantly, as an African American, help your teenagers to be wary of accepting friend requests from strangers, sharing personal information, and avoiding using public WiFi. Going against this rule will expose them to cyberbullies and hackers.
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Join Your Teens Online
Teenagers and the internet can be a headache for you as a parent. Often your presence online can help them comport themselves. Thus, it’s strategic to join your kids online and engage with their content. You can comment, share ideas, like, and share their posts or tweets.
This will give you primary data about what they do online and also build trust with you as their friend. You can also spot potential dangers based on comments, and you can protect your child in a timely manner.
Enrol Your Child in Social Media Literacy
Help your teenagers understand how to use social media to stay protected from online trolls and bullies. This training will teach them how best to utilise social media, the potential risks and benefits, and when to take a break.
Teenagers can also learn how to spot misinformation and avoid sharing it. Internet safety for teens is the responsibility of every adult, especially in the proliferation of mental health. Teenagers will learn about handling online conflicts so they don’t affect their mental health.
Social media literacy is available in schools and communities around you.
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While you may have to make a tough decision about your teenagers and the internet, having a genuine conversation with them will help them use the internet responsibly. Become their friend, listen to them and make them talk to you openly without asking about their online issues. That way, you can provide the necessary care, support, and kindness to keep them safe.
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