Dear Parents,
As the holidays approach, many students may receive new electronic devices as gifts and it is a time when social media use can increase. To help you guide your children in the safe and responsible use of social media, we're sharing some valuable resources and tips. Please remember that you also have the ability to monitor and limit activity on school issued Chromebooks when students have their device at home (see the Parent Portal Article).
Here are some resources to help you:
Common Sense Media: Offers age-based ratings and reviews of apps, games, and media.
ConnectSafely: Provides resources for parents and educators on online safety.
Key Tips:
Open Communication: Talk openly with your children about their online experiences, especially their use of Instagram and Snapchat. Discuss concerns like cyberbullying, online predators, and the impact of curated images and videos on self-esteem.
Set Clear Limits: Establish rules and boundaries for screen time and app usage, including time limits for Instagram and Snapchat and age-appropriate content restrictions.
Use Parental Controls: Utilize built-in parental controls on devices and apps, including Instagram's Family Center and Snapchat's Family Center features.
Monitor Activity: Regularly review your child's online activity, especially their Instagram and Snapchat feeds and interactions.
Instagram & Snapchat for Teens:
Instagram Family Center: This feature allows parents to see which accounts their teen follows and who follows them, as well as receive notifications about new accounts they request to follow.
Snapchat Family Center: This feature allows parents to see which friends their teen is connected with on Snapchat.
Age Restrictions: Instagram and Snapchat have age restrictions in place.
Instagram Teen Accounts: Instagram recently launched a feature called "Teen Accounts" which offers additional protections for users under 18. These accounts have stricter privacy settings by default, limiting who can contact them and the content they see. Learn more about Teen Accounts here:
Remember, your involvement is crucial in helping children navigate the digital world safely, especially platforms like Instagram and Snapchat.
Sincerely
Matt Gelder
Director of Instructional Technology