From sharing dance routines to connecting with teammates or classmates, social media is quickly becoming a rite of passage for kids. But while these platforms can spark creativity and build connections, they also open the door to new challenges that parents might not have faced growing up. While their usage of these platforms is inevitable—it’s an opportunity to guide them toward using it responsibly, safely, and with confidence.

Introducing your kids to social media can be an exciting step, but it comes with responsibilities; here’s a guide on how to do it thoughtfully while ensuring their online safety.

1. Set clear expectations before creating accounts

Before even signing up for a social media account, have a conversation with your child about the reasons behind using social media. Make sure they understand the importance of sharing responsibly, avoiding oversharing, and being cautious about personal information. Setting clear boundaries will help guide their behavior on these platforms.

Some conversation starters:

• Do you know why it’s important to keep personal information like your address or school private?
• Who do you think should be able to see your posts?
• How much time is reasonable to spend on social media each day?
• What would you do if you saw something online that made you uncomfortable?
• Do you understand that even “disappearing” posts can stay online forever?
• What would you do if someone tried to contact you that you don’t know?

Before signing up, check the reviews from parents and kids on Common Sense Media for the platform your child wants to join. These reviews can give you insights into the app's safety features, privacy settings, and age-appropriateness, helping you make an informed decision together.

2. Create accounts together

When creating a new account, go through the setup process together. Collaborating on profile creation ensures that the basics are configured safely. Details like profile visibility, account photo, and username are often the first steps and can reveal more about your identity than you might realize. Setting these up thoughtfully is key to maintaining your privacy and security from the start.

Key profile protection tips:

• Choose a username that some text
  • Doesn't include their real name
  • Avoids birthdate or year
  • Isn't easily connected to their personal identity
• Choose a profile photo thatsome text
  • Contains generic avatars or Memojis
  • Avoids showing their full face
  • Doesn’t contain school uniforms or identifiable locations

For added safety, consider setting their birth date as younger—especially if they’re close to 13. This ensures permissions remain consistent and compliant with COPPA regulations, providing an extra layer of protection.

3. Make their settings a priority

One of the most crucial steps when introducing kids to social media is ensuring that all privacy settings are properly configured right from the start. Taking the time to understand the platform’s settings and securely set up the account from the beginning can save you from repeatedly revisiting them later. This proactive approach helps ensure their social media experience stays safe and healthy.

Some general settings to keep an eye out for:

• Profile visibility: Choose a private account whenever possible so only approved followers can view your child’s posts.
• Location sharing: Turn off location services to prevent your child from sharing their physical location unknowingly.
• Who can contact them: Limit who can interact with your child on the platform by adjusting settings on who can comment on their posts and send them direct messages.
• Who can add them: Limit who can discover your child’s account or add your child as a friend to avoid unwanted connections.

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With Block Party, you can easily configure settings across popular platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram—ensuring all your accounts are set up with the highest level of privacy and security right from the start. Block Party’s automations take the guesswork out of keeping your child’s accounts safe, offering peace of mind that their digital world is secure.

4. Monitor and educate continually

Even after setting up the accounts and privacy features, your role as a parent isn’t over. Regularly check in with your child about their online interactions and educate them on the importance of maintaining their privacy and security as they use social media. Make sure they feel comfortable coming to you with any concerns or if something feels off.

As your child grows older and matures, their way of using social media will evolve too. What works for a younger child may not suit a teenager, so it’s important to stay engaged and adapt your guidance as their needs and habits change. This includes periodically reviewing the apps and platforms they use, understanding how they engage with others online, and helping them navigate new challenges that arise.

At the same time, balance is key. While it’s important to monitor their activities, respect their privacy and autonomy; protect them from risks, recognize their growing independence and work together to establish mutual trust.

Final thoughts

Introducing your kids to social media is an exciting milestone, but it’s important to ensure that their online experience is as safe and secure as possible. By setting the right privacy settings from the beginning and educating your child, you can help them navigate the digital world with confidence.