So, my 11 year old is asking (begging?) to get on social media. She says all her friends have accounts and she’s feeling left out but I can’t get over how bad social media can be for kids. I’ve read so much about the negative effects the bullying, the pressure, the screen addiction, it terrifies me. I want to protect her from all of that but at the same time I don’t want to make her feel isolated or left out. It feels like a lose lose situation, and I honestly don’t know what to do. Should I hold the line or let her try it with boundaries? Any advice (or reassurance that I’m not the only one struggling with this) would be greatly appreciated!
I went through this exact thing with my son last year. It’s so tough to balance protecting them while also giving them some independence. What helped us was starting with a private account on a platform like Instagram where only close friends and family could follow him. We set clear rules upfront time limits, no following strangers, and we check his account together weekly. It gave him some social interaction but in a safer environment. He felt included and I felt a bit more in control. It’s definitely not perfect, but it’s been working well for us so far. Maybe something like that could be a good middle ground for you too?
You are so not alone. I felt the same way with my daughter and trust me, it’s hard no matter what you decide. We ended up waiting until she turned 12 and even then, I had a lot of anxiety about it. Social media can be scary, but at the same time I get that kids just want to feel like they belong.