Social media is a common part of daily life now, so it’s something that parents should carefully consider when they’re setting up the parenting plan for their children. It’s not always easy to determine what types of terms to set up, especially if the children are younger. It’s easier with older children because you don’t have to think as far into the future.
This isn’t just about screen time—it’s about protecting children’s privacy, maintaining consistency between households and avoiding conflicts between co-parents. Including clear social media guidelines can help everyone stay on the same page and reduce misunderstandings down the road.
What standards should be set?
The parenting plan should outline when and where a child’s image or information can be shared online. This can include guidelines about:
- Posting photos or videos
- Choosing privacy settings
- Creating social media accounts
- Defining appropriate online conduct
- Establishing rules about screen time
- Setting a plan for monitoring social media accounts
The terms within the parenting plan should be as specific as possible. It may be necessary to have two distinct sets of rules—one for the children and one for the parents. These may need to be adjusted as the children mature, particularly as social media and the online environment change.
One point that some parents may not consider, but that could be critical, is to ensure that children always give their permission before pictures or information are shared online. This can help them to retain their sense of self and define what online presence they want.