In one survey, 97 percent of teenagers indicated that they use social media. Is your child eager to join the crowd? If so, there are a few things you should consider.

In this article

• Your child’s use of time

• Your child’s view of friendship

• Your child’s emotional health

• Your child’s online behavior

• Is social media necessary?

• What parents say

Your child’s use of time

“Social media platforms are designed to snare your attention, keep you online, and have you repeatedly checking your screen for updates,” says the website HelpGuide.

“Minutes slip into hours as I’m scrolling through countless social media posts. It can be very hard to put down the phone and find something more productive to do.”—Lynne, 20.

Ask yourself: Will my child have enough self-control to abide by the limits that I set for social media use? Is my child mature enough to set his or her own limits and abide by them?

Bible principle: “Keep strict watch that how you walk is . . . as wise persons, making the best use of your time.”—Ephesians 5:15, 16.

Your child’s view of friendship

The term “social media” suggests that users have friends or are connected to the people they know. Often, though, that connection is superficial.

“I’ve noticed that many young people wrongly think that if they get more likes or followers, that means more people really care about them, even if they don’t really know those people.”—Patricia, 17.

Ask yourself: Does my child have the maturity to avoid placing undue importance on followers and likes? How well can he or she cultivate off-line friendships?

Bible principle: “A true friend shows love at all times and is a brother who is born for times of distress.”—Proverbs 17:17.

Your child’s emotional health

Researchers have noted that excessive use of social media is associated with feeling lonely, anxious, and even depressed.

“Seeing photos of what your friends are doing with your other friends—without you—is never a great feeling.”—Serena, 19.

Ask yourself: Will my child have the maturity to avoid becoming self-focused, competitive, or unduly affected by what he or she sees others doing on social media?

Bible principle: “Let us not become egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another.”—Galatians 5:26.

Your child’s online behavior

Social media can open the door to cyberbullying, sexting, and viewing pornography. Even if your child does not initiate these behaviors, he or she could be exposed to them.

“I notice that content on social media seems to go south easily. There is a lot of strong language and inappropriate music.”—Linda, 23.

Ask yourself: Does my child have the maturity to be a good digital citizen? Will my child have the moral strength to turn away from inappropriate material?

Bible principle: “Let sexual immorality and every sort of uncleanness or greediness not even be mentioned among you, . . . neither shameful conduct nor foolish talking nor obscene jesting.”—Ephesians 5:3, 4.

Is social media necessary?

Social media is not essential for life, not even for a comfortable, happy life. Many young ones are content to live without social media—including some who once used it but then decided to quit.

“After seeing how my sister was negatively affected by her use of social media, I decided to quit using it. Ever since then, I’ve been happier and I feel that I’m getting more out of life.”—Nathan, 17.

The bottom line: Before allowing your child to use social media, make sure he or she is mature enough to stick to time limits, maintain healthy friendships, and avoid inappropriate content.

Bible principle: “The shrewd one ponders each step.”—Proverbs 14:15.

Considering the risks involved, many parents do not allow their children to use social media. However, if you do allow your teenager to use social media, how can you help him or her both to avoid the negative effects and to learn to be a good digital citizen?

In this article

• Your teenager’s priorities

• Your teenager’s emotional health

• Your teenager’s online behavior

• Discussion guide

Your teenager’s priorities

What you should know: In view of the addictive nature of social media, your teenager might need your help to control the amount of time he or she spends on it.

Bible principle: “Make sure of the more important things.”—Philippians 1:10.

To think about: Does use of social media interfere with your teenager’s sleep, schoolwork, or family life? Researchers say that teenagers need about nine hours of sleep per night, but those who spend several hours a day on social media are likely to be getting less than seven hours of sleep.

What you can do: Discuss priorities with your teenager, and talk about the wisdom of limiting the amount of time spent on social media. Set reasonable rules, such as no devices allowed in the bedroom at night. Your goal is to help your teen cultivate self-control—a quality that will serve him or her well in adulthood.—1 Corinthians 9:25.

Your teenager’s emotional health

What you should know: Looking at the digitally enhanced selfies and “highlight reels” of friends’ activities can leave a young person feeling left out, anxious, and depressed.

Bible principle: “Rid yourselves of . . . envy.”—1 Peter 2:1.

To think about: Does social media use cause your teenager to make unhealthy comparisons in regard to personal appearance and body image? Does your teen feel that everyone else’s life is exciting, while his or hers is boring?

What you can do: Discuss with your teenager the dangers of comparisons. Be aware that girls may be more affected than boys, as girls tend to place more emphasis on relationship and body-image issues. You can even suggest that your teen take periodic breaks from social media. A young man named Jacob says: “I deleted my social-media app for a time. It helped me adjust my priorities as well as my view of myself and others.”

Your teenager’s online behavior

What you should know: Being on social media has been likened to living in front of a crowd. Misunderstandings and conflicts are bound to arise.

Bible principle: “Put away from yourselves every kind of malicious bitterness, anger, wrath, screaming, and abusive speech . . . Become kind to one another.”—Ephesians 4:31, 32.

To think about: Has social media caused your teenager to get caught up in gossip, conflict, or unkind speech?

What you can do: Help your teen to understand the principles of good online manners. The book Digital Kids says: “It is part of our job as parents to explicitly teach that cruelty is not acceptable in any environment—whether it’s virtual or the real physical world.”

Remember that social media is not a necessity and that not all parents allow their teenagers to use it. If you do allow your teenager to use social media, you should be sure that your teen is mature enough to set time limits, maintain healthy friendships, and avoid inappropriate content.