Image courtesy of Latina Moms
We all have that tia chismosa that has opinions about the way we are raising our kids. It’s always a long monologue about how she raised her children and that her way is the best way.
Quite frankly, I could care less about what others have to say about how I choose to parent my children, especially since, back then, they did not have the internet and social media to keep up with.
Growing up, our generation spent most of its days outside and would scan through tv listings to see if our favorite show or movie would be airing that day. One can argue that these were much simpler times.
Due to the vast technological advancements of our time, we now have to figure out how to set boundaries with our children regarding their online browsing, more notably on social media.
When it comes to raising our children and allowing them to reap the benefits of social media while also having set limits, it may be a daunting task at first because this is still a relatively new “amenity”.
Here are some tips to help you start setting limits on your children while not ultimately picking at their liberties.
Set Time Limits
Depending on how old your children are, you should set limits on how much time they spend on social media. Getting sucked into the habit of scrolling endlessly through Instagram or Tik Tok is very easy.
Remember, our children need to be stimulated creatively. After finishing their homework, have them walk the dog, read a book, or sign them up for an extracurricular activity that interests them, such as art or dance classes.
Monitor Their Social Media Feed
Even with time constraints, you don’t always know what your children are doing on their social media during their allowed time.
While I wholeheartedly believe that we should give and respect our children’s privacy, it is vital to be vigilant and aware of their social media activity.
Make sure you monitor their social media feed for signs of cyberbullying or interactions with people they do not know. Remember, their safety is the top priority. Don’t allow for their account to be public.
With that being said, also make it a habit to teach your children about the dangers of the online world and how not to trust everything they see or read.
Lead By Example
Amiga, if you share every figment of your life on social media, you cannot expect your children not to do the same.
If you scroll through social media while at a red light or while at the dinner table, you can expect your children to mirror this behavior.
Lead by example. Show them that you do not need to share everything online. This will help them see that privacy is fundamental, and you do not need to share everything to receive external validation.
In the end, social media can be both a blessing and a curse. It is our duty as parents to navigate through this so our children can flourish in a healthy environment.