Parents should not underestimate the importance of discussing social media with their younger children, especially as tweens approach the age of 13 when they can officially create accounts. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy argues that 13 is still too young, as kids are developing their identities and social media can distort their self-worth and relationships. He recommends delaying account creation until later in the teenage years, though many kids find ways to access social media earlier, often using fake birthdays. Research shows a significant number of younger children are already on social media: 33% of kids ages 5 to 7 and about 60% of those ages 8 to 11 have accounts. This shift means that social interactions among younger kids may revolve around online content rather than traditional play. In response, the American Psychological Association (APA) has developed guidelines to help parents and children establish safer social media habits.
Why It’s Never Too Early to Teach Your Child Good Social Media Habits
Updated on October 17, 2024