The kids are online, all right. According to a 2023 advisory by the U.S. Surgeon General’s office, 95% of teenagers and up to 40% of children aged 8 to 12 use social media, with a third of those teenagers reporting they use the platforms “constantly”. The truth is that much about social media is constantly shifting, making it difficult for parents and educators to monitor kids’ online activities and the content they’re consuming. While there are no one-size-fits-all recommendations, here are some ways clinicians and parents can work together to keep kids safe online, plus updates from the federal government and the AAP that will help support online safety for all.
Online Communication & Education
One of the fundamental pillars of promoting kids' online safety is fostering open and nonjudgmental communication between parents and children. By creating a safe space, parents can encourage their children to share their online experiences, challenges, and concerns without fear of reprimand. Physicians can advocate for this dialogue and guide the creation of an environment that prioritizes trust and empathy.
Collaborating with parents to establish clear boundaries and guidelines for internet usage is key to promoting kids' online safety. Pediatricians can offer age-appropriate online activities and counsel parents on setting appropriate time limits. By involving children in the process, parents can help them understand the rationale behind these boundaries, fostering a sense of responsibility. According to resources released during the COVID-19 pandemic by the U.S. Department of Justice, while younger children may benefit from parental controls, older children and adolescents can learn self-regulation and safety behaviors that keep them from consuming adult content.
In today's digital age, educating children about online privacy is paramount. Physicians can play a pivotal role in guiding families towards cultivating an online experience that supports mental health and learning and avoids dangerous pitfalls such as bullying, exploitation, discrimination, and inaccurate information.
Families also have an important role in discussing online safety. By explaining the potential consequences of unsafe internet use, such as identity theft or online harassment, we can empower children to make informed decisions about what information they share online and place safety barriers for younger children to interact safely online. The American Academy of Pediatrics has a fantastic Q&A tool for parents and pediatricians created by the Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health to help them navigate social media and internet use for different ages.
Stay Informed about Social Media Trends and Platforms
The landscape of social media platforms and trends is constantly evolving, making it essential for parents and physicians to stay informed. By keeping up-to-date with the latest developments, we can better understand the platforms children are using and the potential risks involved. This knowledge allows us to guide parents in discussing the benefits and challenges of different social media platforms. Common Sense Media is a great resource for parents to check movie, video, and gaming content and for up-to-date safety recommendations and user tips for parents and children, like this article detailing how to safely use Tiktok.
Regular monitoring and supervision of children's online activities are essential for ensuring their safety. Pediatricians can emphasize the importance of parents actively engaging in this process. Encourage parents to check the websites and apps their children are using, review their online interactions, and stay aware of any changes in their behavior. Parents can build trust and provide guidance when needed by maintaining an open line of communication and demonstrating interest in their online experiences.
Older children and teens will naturally want to follow the trends their social group is engaged in. Whether the latest fad is an internet challenge or creating content for the internet in hopes of becoming an influencer, parents and physicians need to understand these trends and their potential risks. By staying informed, parents can have informed conversations with their children about the potential consequences and help them make responsible decisions online.
Additionally, parents must teach their children about digital literacy and critical thinking skills. With the abundance of information available online, children need to learn how to evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources. Physicians can guide teaching children to question information, fact-check, and identify misinformation or harmful content.
The needs of each child will vary, and clinicians can encourage parents to create up-to-date media plans that incorporate the child’s internet habits, self-regulation skills, media literacy, and age. For example, sibling A at age 7 might have restricted apps on their device(s) and be monitored more closely. Meanwhile, their teenage sibling B has gained more media literacy and is allowed more privacy with whom they can contact and the content they can consume, but has the same responsibility to bring questions and concerns to their parents during regular check-ins.
The AAP’s Advocacy for Regulation, Online Safety
The American Academy of Pediatrics has taken important strides towards a safer internet for children in recent months. “Social media and the internet were not designed with kids in mind,” says AAP President Dr. Benjamin D. Hoffman, M.D., FAAP. “For years, pediatricians across the country have spoken out about the urgent need to create healthier digital environments for children and adolescents.”
In July 2024, the Senate passed The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, which at the time of this article’s publication has moved to the House of Representatives. The bill combines two pieces of AAP advocacy: the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA 2.0). According to a press release by the Senator for Maryland Ben Carlin, “The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) would create tools, safeguards, and transparency requirements applicable to social media, social networks, multiplayer online video games, social messaging applications, and video streaming services.”
The AAP has several avenues for supporting online safety for children, including the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, which collates media guidance for parents, pediatricians, and children, and utilizes a Youth Advisory Panel; a Washington, D.C. summit combining media experts and teens’ views on creating healthier online landscapes; and the AAP Advocacy Conference, which in April 2024 met with lawmakers to advocate for children’s online safety legislation.
Pediatricians have a vital role in advocating for children's online safety. We can empower parents to protect their children in the digital world by encouraging open communication, establishing boundaries, and educating them about online privacy and risks. Staying informed about social media trends, utilizing parental controls, and monitoring online activities are additional tools that can enhance kids' online safety. Along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents and pediatricians can work together to create a safer digital environment for children to explore, learn, and thrive while being protected from potential online threats.
