Do I Actually Must be on Snapchat to be a Good Digital Guardian?

December 7, 2023

3

For those who needed to rely the variety of social media platforms your teen makes use of, I’m wondering what the rating can be? 2, 5 or perhaps much more? Effectively, surprisingly analysis from our Aussie eSafety Commissioner exhibits that Aussie children use a median of 4 social media companies. I wager you thought it could be extra. I did! So, perhaps this implies we don’t want to fret an excessive amount of about becoming a member of and understanding these platforms? Certainly their abilities have to be fairly polished if there are solely utilizing 4 platforms? Flawed!! Being an excellent digital father or mother means we have to take the time to grasp our children’ digital world – even after we assume they’ve a deal with on it.

My High Tip Ever – Get Concerned

During the last 12 years in my job as Cybermum, I’ve shared an abundance of recommendation. But when I needed to choose an important piece it’s this – the best possible technique to preserve your children protected on-line is to decide to understanding your children’ on-line world, notably when they’re beginning out on their digital journey. So, if they’re on Fb, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok then you should join, and spend time understanding the way it works. In the event that they love Minecraft, Fortnite or Amongst Us – you then now do too! I’m certain you’re determining the sample by now…

Getting Concerned Means You’ll Earn Some Tech Cred

I’m undecided the way it works for you however one factor that does NOT work for me is listening to recommendation from somebody who has no related expertise. To be sincere, it actually grinds my gears!! So, isn’t it logical that our teenagers would really feel the identical? I actually don’t assume we are able to anticipate them to take recommendation from us about on-line security if we have now no lived expertise. In my view, expertise = credibility.

So, whenever you be a part of Snapchat or Instagram not solely are you studying about your baby’s digital life however you’re additionally growing credibility which can simply be an important ingredient in retaining your children protected on-line. As a result of if and when your children discover themselves in tough scenario on-line, they are going to be way more more likely to come to you with an issue in the event that they know you perceive the way it all works.

Don’t Overlook – You’re The Function Mannequin

Taylor Swift fandom is very large in Australia proper now. With many taking days off work to safe tickets to her upcoming exhibits and a sizzling film launch, you’d be arduous pressed to seek out many younger women who don’t assume she is the ‘bees knees’. And in case your sons are made eager Le Bron, Tom Brady or Nathan Cleary followers then they wouldn’t be alone – my sons are all in awe of those spectacular athletes. However regardless of all of the hype and the potential affect from these celebrities, I must remind you of 1 essential factor – you might be an important function mannequin in your children. You maintain the best affect of their choice making and worth setting.

In case your children see you utilizing the identical platforms they use in a wholesome, balanced manner – you then actually have a tonne of capacity to assist them develop optimistic digital habits. Your ‘tech cred’ will imply they’re much more more likely to choose up in your habits. So, be sure to have a wholesome mixture of digital and non-digital actions into your life. Contemplate:

Common screen-free time in your day
Having a know-how free hour (or two) earlier than mattress
Banning telephones from the dinner desk
Placing your cellphone on silent to minimise distractions
Being ‘all in’ if you end up speaking to your children and don’t choose up your cellphone. Give them your undivided consideration!

Keep in mind, they’re watching and studying!!

So, Do you Actually Want To Be part of Snapchat?

Now, I don’t wish to power you to do something that you’re not comfy with, however I do need you to grasp how finest to help your children of their digital life. To me, it’s fairly easy. No matter platform your children spend the majority of their time on-line then that’s the place you should spend your time too. You’ll develop credibility which suggests they’re extra more likely to come to you if they’ve a problem on-line. It additionally offers you a chance to mannequin well being digital habits which will be actually highly effective. So, in case your children use Snapchat then sure – you should be a part of!!! All of the ‘know-how’ you amass whereas utilizing it can completely assist make you an amazing digital father or mother.

Until subsequent time

Alex