Younger kids also get on social media nowadays. Here’s how parents can teach their Tiger Cubs on safe and smart social media use.
There is no escaping social media nowadays. Everybody is on apps such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok – even me! According to experts, more and more younger kids also use these social media apps to watch videos, talk to their classmates, and share their lives. Studies show that kids aged 7 to 9 years old already use at least one social media app, and some mums and dads are worried about it.
Tim told me that social media is either good or bad. We use our Tiger and Tim accounts to reach out to all the cool cats out there! Through our social media, we update everyone about Tiger and Tim learning videos for kids. But it could also cause scary things to happen if it is not monitored closely by a grown-up.
However, too much hovering and snooping can do more harm than good as it can damage the trust children have in their parents.
So what can parents and other adults at home do to make sure that kids are safe online? Here are some Tiger-approved tips:
- Use kid-safe apps or parental controls
Kids love watching videos on social media apps. However, not all content online is good for them. One way to keep your Tiger Cubs safe is to make sure that they use apps that are proven kid-friendly. Common Sense Media is a good resource for parents who want to verify apps and websites before letting their kids use them. There are also ways to set up parental controls on various social media apps, such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. (Check out our kid-safe and parent-approved streaming apps here!)
- Teach kids about privacy
Privacy is an important matter for children, especially whenever they go online. Social media-savvy Tiger Cubs should know that personal details such as their address, contact number, and other sensitive information should not be posted and shared online. Teaching them about handling private info and content such as photos and videos is a great learning opportunity for kids to understand how strangers online can take advantage of them.
- Chatting with strangers is a no-no
Social media apps are a nice way for children to connect with their friends. Kids love to talk about their favourite shows, artists, or movies with other kids. However, it should be clear to them that they are not allowed to talk to people online whom they do not know in real life. Stranger danger is not just applicable offline but also online. ‘If you don’t know them, don’t friend them’ is a simple and safe rule for young ones to follow when interacting online.
- Remind kids to think before they click
Children need to understand that whatever they post online may stay and circulate online for a very long time. Therefore, it should be clear to kids that they are comfortable with sharing their videos, photos, or blogs on different social media platforms.
They should also be taught to be mindful of the comments they leave online. Teach children the ‘What Would Grandma Say’ rule – they wouldn’t want to post anything online that grandma would be upset about, right? Just like me, I think about what Mummy Susie will say on my posts all time, and so far, so good for me! (And Tim, too!)
- Go through rules and guidelines before use
Since social media is such a massive space for children to explore, the rules on using these apps should be clear before they even begin using them. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a straightforward discussion with kids about what they should do and how to behave when using social media. It is also reasonable to show kids how to use these online platforms responsibly.
The Internet is a powerful tool. How else could you guys watch Tiger and Tim learning videos for kids without it? But, as my friend Spider-Man knows, with every power comes great responsibility. Kids should know how to responsibly and safely use social media so that they can make the most out of its wonderful benefits.