The rise of social media among tweens and teens | Spotlite
The rise of social media among tweens and teens
It's no secret that social media is a big part of most people's lives, including tweens and teens. But what may be surprising to some parents is just how important social media platforms are to their kids. In fact, a recent study found that 95 percent of tweens and teens use social media regularly, and 71 percent say they can't live without it. So, what do these numbers mean for brands targeting this age group? And more importantly, what can parents do to make sure their kids are using social media safely and responsibly? Keep reading for answers to these questions and more.
How do teens use social media?
There are a lot of different social media platforms out there, and each one is used in its own unique way by teens. But in general, most teens use social media to stay connected with friends and family, express themselves, and get information.
For example, TikTok one is of the most popular social media platform among young people, and is mainly used for sharing short videos of oneself. While it can be a fun way to connect with friends, it also has its dangers; for example, there have been cases of cyberbullying on TikTok. So it's important for parents to be aware of what their kids are doing on these platforms and talk to them about the risks involved.
Why is of social media among tweens and teens becoming more and more popular?
Social media has become increasingly popular among tweens and teens over the past few years. This is largely due to the increasing number of mobile devices that are being used. With more devices comes more opportunities for kids to access social media, and as we all know, it's pretty hard to resist a good social media platform when you have one in your hand.
But that's not the only reason social media is so popular among tweens and teens. Another factor is the way social media platforms are designed. Most of them are very engaging and allow users to share content and communicate with friends. This makes them very appealing to kids, who are always looking for new ways to express themselves and connect with others.
What are some positives of social media for teens?
- Social media allows for communication and connection with others in a way that wasn't possible before.
- It can be a great way for kids to express themselves and share their interests with others.
- It's a great source of information, especially for teens who are looking for news and current events.
- Social media can help kids stay connected with friends and family who may live far away as well as making new friends
- Teens can follow positive role models such as influencers and advocates who promote positive messages about everything from protecting the environment to how to look after your well-being online
- Finding a community for others like them by joining groups and making friends with other young users who enjoy the same hobbies as them or have had similar life experiences. For more information on the positive effects of these online communities take a look at Connor DeWolfe's interview with Meredith O'Connor where he discussed finding a community as an ADHD advocate and no longer feeling alone after finding others like him.
What are some of the dangers of social media for teens?
There are a lot of dangers associated with social media use for teens, and they vary depending on the platform. But in general, there are three main risks: cyberbullying, online predators, and exposed personal information.
Cyberbullying is when someone uses technology to bully or harass someone else. Online predators are people who use social media to try and exploit kids for their own gain. And exposed personal information is when someone posts something online that they later regret, such as their address, phone number, or school name.
Some kids can become addicted to social media, which can lead to problems with school, work, and personal relationships, so make sure to set limits on how much screen time your children are getting each week. Also set up parental controls so your children can't see any inappropriate content.
How to Protect Your Teens?
Can I help my children avoid unsafe social networks? Is it possible to create guidelines on social media and continue to talk to my children about online happenings? Below we list some suggestions for children to develop healthy social media connections.
-Encourage your children to use social media sites that are appropriate for their age.
-Talk to your children about cyberbullying and how to handle it if it happens to them or someone they know.
-Explain that they should not share personal information like their address or phone number with people they don't know offline.
-Ask your children to show you their social media accounts and pages, so you can get a better understanding of what they're into.
-Make sure they know not to post anything online that they wouldn't want other people to see.
-Remind them that once something is posted online, it's there forever.
-Encourage them to think before they post and to ask themselves if it will be harmful or embarrassing if their friends or family saw it.
-Create a family agreement about social media use and have everyone sign it. This will help ensure that all members of your family are following the same rules when it comes to social media.
-Setting rules and limits for how much social media use your children are allowed each week
Social media is an important part of most tweens' and teens' lives, and it's up to parents to make sure they're using it safely and responsibly. By talking to your kids about the dangers involved and setting some rules for social media use, you can help keep them safe online.
Be aware of the platforms your kids are using and what they're doing on them and talk to kids about the risks involved with using social media, such as cyberbullying, online predators, and exposed personal information. Parents should monitor their kids' activity on social media and intervene if they see anything that concerns them.
How to be a brand and advertise responsibly to teenagers on social media?
First and foremost, it's important to be aware of the different platforms that teenagers use for social media. You should also be familiar with the types of content that are popular on each platform. For example, Snapchat is a platform where users share photos and videos that expire after a few seconds. Tumblr is a platform where users can post text, photos, and videos about anything they're interested in.
Once you have a general understanding of how teenagers use social media, you can start thinking about ways to advertise responsibly to them. One way to do this is by creating content that is relevant to their interests. For example, if you're a clothing brand, you could create posts about upcoming fashion trends or how to put together an outfit for a special occasion.
Another way to advertise responsibly to teenagers is by being aware of the dangers involved with using social media. For example, you could create posts about cyberbullying or how to stay safe online. You could also remind teenagers not to share personal information like their address or phone number with people they don't know offline.
Finally, it's important to remember that parents should monitor their kids' activity on social media and intervene if they see anything that concerns them. So, be sure to include a call-to-action in your advertising that encourages parents to learn more about your brand.
By following these tips, you can advertise responsibly to teenagers on social media and help keep them safe online.
How to tell if a social media platform is safe for tweens and teens?
There isn't a single answer to this question since different social media platforms pose different risks to tweens and teens. However, there are a few things you can look for to help determine if a platform is safe for your kids.
First, be aware of the types of content that are popular on the platform. If the majority of the content is inappropriate for kids, it's probably not a safe platform for them. Second, research the safety features available on the platform. Does the platform have a built-in reporting system for cyberbullying? Does it allow parents to monitor their kids' activity? If not, the platform is probably not safe for kids.
Finally, be sure to talk to your kids about the risks involved with using social media. Let them know what types of content are inappropriate for them and how to stay safe online. By talking to your kids and monitoring their activity on social media, you can help keep them safe while they're online.
Parents should also be aware that some social media platforms, like Snapchat, are designed specifically for teenagers and may not be appropriate for younger kids. So, it's important to be familiar with the different platforms and their respective safety features before allowing your kids to use them.
To conclude
With so many tweens and teens using social media, it’s important for both parents and brands to be aware of the positive and negative aspects of these platforms. We hope our tips will help you think about how we can all work together to keep tweens safe online while they explore the wonderful world of social media. But we want to know – how do you think we should keep teens and tweens safe on social media? Leave us a comment below and let us know your thoughts!