Supporting safe social media use
Introduction
Why more vulnerable
Benefits for young people
Online risks
Financial scams
Harmful or inappropriate content
Online grooming
Cyberbullying
Online privacy
Impulsivity online
Talking about safety
Online boundaries
Safe social media use
Critical thinking skills
If things go wrong
Independence and safety
Key messages
Online safety resources
Many social media platforms include built-in safety tools.
Parents can support safer use by helping young people understand how to use these tools effectively.
Examples include:
- setting accounts to private
- controlling who can send messages
- limiting location sharing
- blocking or reporting harmful users
It can also be helpful to discuss which platforms are appropriate for a young person’s age and maturity level.
Parents may choose to monitor online activity in a supportive and transparent way. This means explaining what is being checked and why, rather than secretly monitoring behaviour.
Transparency helps maintain trust.
