Dear Cassy: The three S’s of social media

Much of the training on teens and social media advocates scare tactics to keep kids safe. I prefer another approach. Begin with a genuine interest in how they are communicating. Ask which apps, messaging and sites they utilize to communicate. Ask them to teach you about them. And there are always handy Youtube tutorial videos. “Social Media Wellness: Helping Tweens and Teens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World,” by Ana Homayoun, is a fantastic resource. She suggests filtering social media through the three S’s. Socialize: how does your child handle disputes or conflicts? In person or through texting? Handling tough conversations through texting can prevent teens from building crucial skills that come from face to face interactions. Help model this behavior for them. If you have an issue to discuss with your child ask for some face to face time to resolve it. Self-regulation: this entails regulating how much time we spend on technology. Human brains are not fully developed until 25 years old. The frontal lobe, while developing, causes increased risk taking and impulsivity. Understanding that goes a long way. Before asking, “What were you thinking?” Remember they were thinking…

Read this story on easyreadernews.com