Disagreements between co-parents about a child’s social media use are common. Therefore, if you and your ex are struggling to find common ground about your child’s approach to social media, you certainly aren’t alone.
There is little doubt that social media platforms can inspire both positive and negative impacts when it comes to children, teens and tweens. It is, therefore, no surprise that parents often have differing opinions on how these opportunities should be managed.
Key considerations
The first step in addressing virtually any co-parenting disagreement is open communication. Sit down with your ex and discuss your concerns and perspectives about your child’s social media use. Share any specific issues or incidents that have influenced your opinion.
Identify issues where you both agree regarding social media use. Common ground might include basic principles such as keeping your child safe online, monitoring their activity and ensuring they understand the risks of engaging with social media in certain ways. Agreeing on these foundational principles can provide a starting point for more detailed discussions.
When you have established a foundation upon which you can build, work together to establish clear, consistent guidelines for your child’s social media use. These guidelines might address:
- Age-appropriate platforms: Decide which social media platforms are suitable based on your child’s age.
- Screen time limits: Agree on the amount of time your child can spend on social media each day.
- Privacy settings: Ensure robust privacy settings to protect your child to the extent that you can.
- Monitoring: Determine how and when each parent will monitor social media activity, and agree on transparency in sharing this information.
If you’re unable to reach an agreement on your own, consider seeking legal guidance. Taking advantage of such resources can also help you to develop and integrate social media terms in your parenting plan, tailored to your child’s needs and your family dynamics.