Support about social media related issues

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Buckers

Buckers

No idea what’s going on.
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My kids are 11 and 10 so are becoming aware of social media through kids at school etc. Having recently learnt more about the impact it has had on kids mental health, especially girls, I thought it might be useful to have somewhere for folk to discuss these issues.

I imagine there must be many on here that have kids that are using social media. Some will be coping but others won't.

Personally I believe we need to do something about the rising epidemic that is clearly directly caused by kids using social media. I'm not sure what this is, but as a parent I feel we need to be protecting them from something we allow into out homes that is literally killing them and giving them mental health problems that could stay with them forever.

Maybe on here we could hatch a plan?

Cannabis is illegal FFS and we can give a 10yr old girl Facebook and all the while we ramble on about brexit and trump.
 

The problem with kids accessing it, is that it's not in any way regulated, edited or moderated. While I think these are good things for adults, one has to be aware that its akin to letting your kids into a pub, or a brothel at any time of day, on their own. Would you be happy with that?

On the other hand its a learning thing. With proper introduction they can learn of the pitfalls, the traps, the advertising and scams.

If you're worried about them missing out, then allow them on for a time, but only at first with you - just like you would accompany them to a park or pub. Talk them through how to cope with the nasty comments or how what they might be saying, in innocence, might appear nasty to others.
 
Eggs said:
...it’s a very difficult subject and i’m thankful my kids grew up before social media truly took off. I don’t know the answer, but I imagine it’s lots to do with control. Interesting to see what folk say.
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Thanks for posting Eggs, it's a big deal this. We have sleepwalked into this and it's time the grown ups did something. It's going to take a group effort though, parents can't handle this alone.
 
chrismpw said:
The problem with kids accessing it, is that it's not in any way regulated, edited or moderated. While I think these are good things for adults, one has to be aware that its akin to letting your kids into a pub, or a brothel at any time of day, on their own. Would you be happy with that?

On the other hand its a learning thing. With proper introduction they can learn of the pitfalls, the traps, the advertising and scams.

If you're worried about them missing out, then allow them on for a time, but only at first with you - just like you would accompany them to a park or pub. Talk them through how to cope with the nasty comments or how what they might be saying, in innocence, might appear nasty to others.
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From what I gather this the psychological effect of how social media works coupled with bullying that causes the bulk of the problem.

Although a terrible worry I feel my kids are at far less risk of harm from internet predators than they are from how it works, the effect it has on their brain and development but mainly from the way they treat each other on there without having the social skills to do it safely.
 

Buckers said:
My kids are 11 and 10 so are becoming aware of social media through kids at school etc. Having recently learnt more about the impact it has had on kids mental health, especially girls, I thought it might be useful to have somewhere for folk to discuss these issues.

I imagine there must be many on here that have kids that are using social media. Some will be coping but others won't.

Personally I believe we need to do something about the rising epidemic that is clearly directly caused by kids using social media. I'm not sure what this is, but as a parent I feel we need to be protecting them from something we allow into out homes that is literally killing them and giving them mental health problems that could stay with them forever.

Maybe on here we could hatch a plan?

Cannabis is illegal FFS and we can give a 10yr old girl Facebook and all the while we ramble on about brexit and trump.
Click to expand...

Whilst you can't stop your kids faking their age, all social media sites like FB etc should have a policy that you are only allowed to sign up if you are 13 or over.
 
Buckers said:
Thanks for posting Eggs, it's a big deal this. We have sleepwalked into this and it's time the grown ups did something. It's going to take a group effort though, parents can't handle this alone.
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From experience, normally what happens under these circumstances (some new problem in society) is:

1. Some Parents can't think of what the right thing to do is, or some can't be bothered with the effort of patenting.

2. Government are equally clueless, or are afraid to act for fear of alienating votes from parents.

3. Schools get tasked by government to providing training (its added to a bursting curriculum, without any training themselves).

4. Government and parents lambast schools for not doing it right.

Rinse and repeat.
 
Philw said:
Whilst you can't stop your kids faking their age, all social media sites like FB etc should have a policy that you are only allowed to sign up if you are 13 or over.
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Sounds reasonable enough.... But they have to learn how to cope with the bubbles at some point. What age is best?

30 imho!
 
chrismpw said:
From experience, normally what happens under these circumstances (some new problem in society) is:

1. Some Parents can't think of what the right thing to do is, or some can't be bothered with the effort of patenting.

2. Government are equally clueless, or are afraid to act for fear of alienating votes from parents.

3. Schools get tasked by government to providing training (its added to a bursting curriculum, without any training themselves).

4. Government and parents lambast schools for not doing it right.

Rinse and repeat.
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haha...exactly! im hoping this is all sorted when my kids are older...im trying to think of an equivalent from 80's, 90's...video nasties maybe??
 

neil999 said:
haha...exactly! im hoping this is all sorted when my kids are older...im trying to think of an equivalent from 80's, 90's...video nasties maybe??
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With me it was unregulated radio (Caroline) and pop music.

Then it was: Heaven forbid that opinions be spread that are not approved by the establishment.

Now its: Heaven forbid you express an opinion that isn't the same as the electronic hive.
 
Its a tough one because if you “ban” it as such, might make them want it more and could easily access it when your not around?

Ideally id say dont use it, im glad i grew up before it got big, a mean even now its a love hate relationship, but im old enough to understand
 
chrismpw said:
No kids. I'm happy with that now I'm not teaching anymore. Will make schools a lot quieter too.
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That might work too, but I did actually mean that the kids should just say no to social media.

When you used to say harsh words to a friend back in the day, you may have not spoken to each other for a day or week, but then it would be forgotten. What happens now after you insult them on facebook and it's there on that person's timeline for them to keep looking at and others to see forever?
 

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