Safe Social Media

Talk About Media

1. Keep the conversation going | Chat regularly with your kids about what they’re seeing in media and how it makes them feel.
2. Help them spot the tricky stuff | Teach them to recognize ads, fake content, and when something online just isn’t right.
3. Show them how to talk about media | Think out loud, share your thoughts, and really listen when they share theirs.

Kindness & Empathy

1. Teach kids to pause before posting | Encourage them to think, “Would I say this face-to-face?” before texting or commenting.
2. Talk about online behavior together | Use real examples to discuss how to handle toxic or hurtful situations in a better way.
3. Have a cyberbullying plan | Make sure they know what to do and who to talk to if something goes wrong online.

Create Screen Free Zones

1. Set screen-free zones and times | Keep meals, bedrooms at night, and car rides free from screens.
2. Delay social media use | Wait until at least age 13, and stay involved in how your child uses it.
3. Create a device plan for school | Talk about when, where, and how devices should be used during the school day.

Screen Free Time

1. Make a weekly screen schedule | Choose days that are okay for screen, plan screen-free times, and stick to one screen at a time.
2. Protect key routines | Keep screens off before school, during family time, and in the hour before bed.
3. Support healthy sleep habits | Avoid screens at night and keep devices out of bedrooms during sleep.

Staying Safe Online

1. Set safety and privacy rules | Use strong privacy settings and make sure kids know not to chat with strangers online.
2. Keep media age-appropriate | Limit screen time for little ones and help kids avoid videos or sites that aren’t meant for them.
3. Teach kids to be kind and careful online | Talk about not oversharing and how to treat others with respect in texts, games, and posts.

Choose Good Media

1. Be intentional with media choices | Focus on content that’s creative, educational, or encourages kindness.
2. Stay involved with what kids use | Review games and apps together before they play or download them.
   
3. Make a plan for spending and trying media | Talk about online purchases and try new content as a family while removing what doesn’t work.

Use Media Together

1. Planning family movie nights | Schedule things like movie nights to enjoy and connect through media.
2. Co-viewing media as a learning tool | Talk with your kids during and after watching to connect and help our kids learn
3. Make media a shared activity | Playing apps and games or watching videos together as a family