CHILDREN ALSO HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ONLINE
Discussion about risks also tends to ignore the potential benefits of being online.
Social media is incredibly important for many young people. It keeps them connected with friends and extended family, provides a platform for creativity and self-expression, and enables civic participation and activism.
Social media also provides access to like-minded individuals and communities who may provide solidarity and support, especially for marginalised teens.
Children, particularly teenagers, also have a right to participate in online spaces, including use of social media.
The United Nations’ Committee on the Rights of the Child notes children have the right to “meaningful access to digital technologies” as a way of realising the full range of their civil, political, cultural, economic and social rights.
THE RIGHT AGE TO GET A TIKTOK ACCOUNT?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach here. Children vary tremendously in terms of their maturity, skills, life experience and judgement.
On top of this, online risk is not equally distributed, as children who are more vulnerable offline are more vulnerable online. For example, children with mental health problems, learning difficulties, a disability or who have problems at home are more likely to experience high-risk situations online.
In deciding whether your child is ready for a social media account, parents might consider:
- Is my child especially vulnerable to online harms?
- Does my child have the required maturity and resilience to manage potentially negative online social interactions?
- Does my child listen to advice and follow rules?
- Is my child aware of the risks, and do they have strategies for managing them?
- Will my child come to me with any problems they encounter online?
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