If you’re wrestling with the question of whether to ban social media entirely — or allow it with supervision — you’re not alone.
Should You Ban Social Media?
If you’re wrestling with the question of whether to ban social media entirely — or allow it with supervision — you’re not alone.
This week, we’re looking at the privacy settings that actually matter — the ones that determine who can find your child, message them, track them, tag them, or see more than they should.
You’re navigating Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Roblox, Fortnite, group chats, private messages, disappearing messages, livestreams, and a whole digital universe that didn’t exist when most of us were teenagers.
Welcome to The Grandparents (And Parents) Guide to Social Media — a plain-language, no-shame series that helps regular folks understand how to keep kids safe on the wild ride that is the internet.
In today’s digital world, data is like currency, and we’re paying with it all the time, often without realizing. Whether we’re sending emails, browsing, shopping, or just watching TV, our data is being collected, sold, and used to influence our choices. Companies collect this data to target ads, personalize recommendations, and even build profiles that can reveal our habits, preferences, and future actions. In this series, we’ll explore the everyday tools that collect data about us and provide actionable steps for limiting what we share.
In today’s digital age, social apps are a central part of kids' and teens' lives. These platforms allow them to connect with friends, share content, and explore their creativity. However, each app comes with its own set of risks and benefits, and it’s important for parents to understand what their children are using. Here's a deeper dive into the most popular social apps among young users and what parents should be aware of.
The internet has opened up new avenues for human traffickers to find, manipulate, and exploit children and teenagers.
In today’s digital world, many kids are more tech-savvy than their parents, which can leave adults at a disadvantage when it comes to keeping their children safe online.
The question of when kids should start using social media is a tough one for parents. Platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok set a minimum age of 13 to comply with regulations like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), but age alone doesn’t determine whether a child is ready to handle the responsibilities and risks of social media.
TikTok’s fast-paced environment is perfect for quick entertainment, but it’s also a breeding ground for scammers who prey on younger users who may not recognize the warning signs of a scam. These scams come in various forms, from fake giveaways to phishing attacks and investment schemes.