Social media ranks #1 for parents’ main safety concern

Anything connected to the internet — from smartphones to power plant controllers — can be manipulated. — Photo: © Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images

Newly compiled data that shows social media safety is the top concern for parents, due to a lack of Internet regulations for their children. This is according to SafeHome.org’s ‘Parenting In America Report’.

The report examines safety concerns and parenting decisions, relating to the use of digital technology. The focus, despite the report’s title, is with parents in the U.S.

The data shows that parents are more worried about their child’s digital safety rather than their physical safety. This is because of increased online safety risks which include: child predator encounters, cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content.

In terms of what concerns parents most, the report establishes:

1.         Internet/Social Media (70 percent)

2.         Safe sex (teens only) (62 percent)

3.         Body autonomy (61 percent)

4.         Car safety (60 percent)

5.         Bullying (59 percent)

Although there are different parenting styles, the average U.S. parent can generally be expected to desire to do what they consider best for their child’s physical and emotional well-being.

Given the advances in modern communications, it can be difficult for some parents to know where to start and with understanding what to do to protect their children.

To aid Digital Journal readers, SafeHome.org has provided some best practice tips:

Set up parental controls

Use online security tools and features that will offer protection and control of your child’s online activities.

Talk to your children about their online activity

Talk to your child about what you think is appropriate, and ask them what sites they visit or apps they use and look at them together.

Protect their privacy

Make sure they are aware of the risk of personal information or images being made public once they post it.

Keep track of online time and device visibility

Monitor your child’s screen time and make sure that their device is in a central area of the home.

These ideas can be used to help addressed the parental concerns for the modern age.