Did you know Facebook has addictive effects? Researchers discovered that the likes received on a post activated certain regions in teen brains. Hence, the study concluded that teen brains interpret social media likes as rewards.
Today, you can even find several third-party sites offering Facebook likes free trial. Perhaps, this is sufficient evidence to prove that Facebook is an addicting platform open to billions of people. So, does this mean you should stop your child from using it?
While stopping might not be a practical solution in a technologically-advanced era, you can take measures to protect your child. Below, we have discussed 5-effective ways to do so.
Place Secure Passwords
Passwords are the only feature that secures your child’s account from others’ access. While only your child knows this code, others can guess and break into the account. So, you need to make sure the password is strong and complex.
Do not add any personal information in the passwords that can be easy to guess. Instead, use a mix of numbers, random words, upper/lowercase letters, and special characters. Educate your child on the risks of sharing this password with anyone else except you.
Apart from strong passwords, also enable two-factor authentication on your child’s account. It’s a security feature offered by Facebook. Once enabled, it asks for a special login pin every time someone tries to access the account from an unknown device.
The system also sends alerts to your authorized email or phone number. So, you can take action when someone else tries to log into your child’s account.
Educate About Self-Censorship
Social media is indeed all about sharing your life with others and socialization. However, the amount of information you put into the digital world is traceable and accessible. And so, you must educate kids on the things they share.
Do not let your underage child share all personal images and data. Just share limited content and put the post in Friends Only mode.
Moreover, if your child has a public profile, instantly ask him to turn on the private mode. So, specific people have access to your child’s information. Facebook is recently offering a lock profile feature that completely hides the profile data from other users.
Monitor the Accounts Periodically
Checking up on your children’s accounts is a great way to learn about their usage. You can gain insights into the content type they are interacting with, their interest, and connections. If you learn about something inappropriate or unsafe, you can talk and educate them.
For working parents, there are also several monitoring tools online. So, you can track your child’s Facebook usage from workplaces. However, if you find the overall task a hassle, you can even hire professional monitoring services.
Stop Location Sharing
Facebook encourages its user to share their location through features like live location. You may also find options to upload your travel itinerary. However, these can be risky ideas.
Other users may learn about your child’s whereabouts easily. It can lead to severe consequences, such as kidnapping and threats. Explain this to your child and stop them from sharing location details with the public.
Participate in the Platform
Perhaps, the best way to ensure the safety of your child is to participate in the platform together. Make a profile, and become friends with your child. As a result, you can learn more about your child’s life, connect with it, and ensure safety too.
Doing so will also keep you aware of the latest issues and safety hazards on Facebook. You can also talk more openly and effectively regarding Facebook safety issues.
Conclusion
In today’s advanced world, it is near to impossible to limit your child’s exposure to the dangerous virtual world. It can hinder their growth and development too. However, this doesn’t mean you should give your child free reign.
As a parent, it remains your responsibility to ensure the safety of your child and protect him against all hazards. And, you can do this smartly by implementing the above-mentioned tips. Good luck!
