7 Signs That Your Child or Teen May Be Unsafe on Social Media
Key takeaways:
Children and teens who use social media may be at risk for cyberbullying, sexual grooming, and exposure to cyberhate.
It can be hard to know if your child or teen is having unsafe interactions online. Warning signs include changes in their mood, isolating from family and friends, and poor school performance.
You can help protect your children on social media by putting safeguards in place, keeping an eye on their activities, and having open discussions about social media use.
Table of contents
Social media is widely used across the world, including among children and teens. A 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center revealed that over half of teens use TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat daily.
While social media may come with benefits, like the opportunity to connect with others, it also poses dangers. And if you have children, you may wonder how you can tell if they are safe online — and what you can do to protect them. Let’s take a closer look at some of the risks of social media, as well as warning signs that your child or teen could be in a precarious situation.
What are the risks for children and teens on social media?
Social media can have both a positive and negative impact on children and teens. Some of the benefits include:
A sense of community
Opportunities for self-expression
Exposure to diversity
Opportunities to give and seek support from peers
Mental health awareness
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On the flip side, social media can also be dangerous. It can expose young people to:
Sexual grooming: Sexual grooming is when an adult predator uses the internet to develop an inappropriate sexual relationship with an underage child.
Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is when the internet or social media is used to bully, threaten, or harass someone.
Cyberhate: Cyberhate is when people express hate online, usually directed at a specific group or groups.
Children and teens can become victims or bystanders of cyberbullying, cyberhate, and sexual grooming. Because their brains aren’t fully developed yet, they may lack the skills necessary to handle these situations appropriately.
Another major concern about children and teens using social media is the impact on their mental health. Social media use among teens is linked to higher rates of:
Depression
Anxiety
Body image issues
Disordered eating
Poor sleep quality
Why are kids and teens uniquely at risk online?
The internet poses potential dangers for everyone, but children and teens are particularly vulnerable. This is because their brains are still growing, and the parts of the brain associated with pleasure and reward are more sensitive. Also, the parts that control impulsiveness aren’t fully developed. This means that it can be hard for children and teens to make good choices online.
Could you or your child be dealing with a social media addiction? Learn more about the warning signs of social media addiction.
What is cyberbullying? Here’s what every parent should know.
How does social media use affect teens? Take a look at nine ways social media might be affecting your teenager, mentally and physically.
Warning signs that your child may be unsafe on social media
Parents need to know the risks of social media and the warning signs that their children could be in an unsafe situation online. If your child or teen is in a risky situation, they might not tell you. Victims of online bullying and grooming may keep quiet for many reasons. They could feel embarrassed, or fear getting in trouble.
Let’s take a look at seven warning signs that your child or teen might be having problems on social media.
1. Changes in their mood
Children and teens who are being bullied or having upsetting experiences online might seem more sad, moody, or irritable than usual. Big shifts in their mood — combined with extensive use of social media — could be a warning sign that social media is a problem.
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2. Appearing distressed after spending time online
If your child seems upset or angry after spending time on social media, this could mean they’re having problematic experiences online. Be aware that children and teens might try to hide how they feel, or may say they’re “fine” even when they seem upset.
3. Secretive behavior
If your child is secretive about what they’re doing online, this could be a warning sign of danger. It might mean an adult is trying to build an inappropriate relationship with them, as with sexual grooming.
4. Isolating from friends and family
Teens who are unsafe on social media might pull away from family and friends. They might also avoid loved ones in order to hide inappropriate online interactions. Or, predators might encourage teens to stay away from friends and family.
5. Refusing to go to school
Children and teens who don’t want to go to school might be getting bullied by their peers. A survey found that nearly 1 in 2 teens had experienced cyberbullying, such as name-calling or false rumors. And kids who are being bullied on social media might avoid school to escape their bullies.
6. Decrease in school performance
Lower interest in school or dropping grades could also signal unsafe online interactions. And children and teens who are dealing with cyberbullying and online grooming have a higher risk for depression and anxiety, which can hurt their school performance.
7. Refusing to talk about their online interactions
Experts recommend parents talk openly with their kids about their social media use. If your child avoids these talks, it could be a sign that they’re involved in unsafe behavior online.
What can parents do to keep their kids safe online?
Online safety is important to many parents today. Here are some tools that can help keep your children safer online:
SafeSearch settings: Use SafeSearch settings on search engines like Google to hide inappropriate results. You can also use kid-friendly sites or search engines.
Age-appropriate apps: Limit your child to age-appropriate apps and games.
Parental controls: Use parental controls on any apps or software your child uses to block inappropriate content and set limits on screen time.
Disable location: Turn off location services on any apps that your child uses so strangers can’t see where your child is.
Supervising your child online and on social media is one of the best things you can do to keep them safe. Leaving children on their own increases their risk of being exposed to predators and other dangers. When children know about online safety and are monitored by parents, they’re less likely to end up in unsafe situations.
What are some healthy limits for using social media?
Here are the American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines for families about social media use:
Set limits on social media time: Using devices before bedtime can interfere with sleep, so it’s good to stop using screens at least an hour before bedtime. Make sure social media doesn’t stop children and teens from being physically active. It’s a good idea to set limits, and encourage your children to turn off their devices from time to time and do other healthy activities.
Model good screen habits: Children learn from watching their parents, so make sure that you have a healthy relationship with technology and social media. And if you have a household rule like “no devices at the dinner table,” then make sure you follow it too.
Check your teen’s social media use: Parents should look at their younger teens’ social media pages and talk to them about how to communicate online. As teens get older and show they can use social media safely, you can give them more freedom.
And remember: Children and teens need guidance. You shouldn’t assume your child automatically knows how to use social media in a healthy way. Some topics to discuss with your child could include how to:
Build healthy online relationships
Resolve conflicts on social media
Handle cyberbullying, whether they’re a victim or bystander
Recognize when social media use is a problem
Spot online hate and racism
Avoid comparing themself to others online
The bottom line
Social media poses serious dangers for teens, including the risk of cyberbullying, cyberhate, and online grooming. Warning signs that your child may be unsafe on social media include refusing to talk about their experiences, problems at school, and isolating themselves from family and friends.
It’s important to help your child or teen learn how to use social media safely and in an age-appropriate manner. You can help your child or teen stay safe by keeping an eye on their online interactions, talking to them about potential pitfalls, and setting healthy limits.
Why trust our experts?
References
Abrams, Z. (2023). Why young brains are especially vulnerable to social media. American Psychological Association.
Gámez-Guadix, M., et al. (2023). Stability of the online grooming victimization of minors: Prevalence and association with shame, guilt, and mental health outcomes over one year. Journal of Adolescence.
Hu, Y., et al. (2021). Cyberbullying victimization and depression among adolescents: A meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research.
McCabe, M. A., et al. (2023). Health advisory on social media use in adolescence. American Psychological Association.
RAINN. (2020). Grooming: Know the warning signs.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center. (n.d.). Consequences of student mental health issues.
UNICEF South Asia. (2023). 5 ways to protect your young child online.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Social media and youth mental health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory.
Vogels, E. A. (2022). Teens and cyberbullying 2022. Pew Research Center.
Vogels, E. A., et al. (2023). Teens and social media: Key findings from Pew Research Center surveys. Pew Research Center.
Weir, K. (2023). Social media brings benefits and risks to teens. Psychology can help identify a path forward. American Psychological Association.
For additional resources or to connect with mental health services in your area, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. For immediate assistance, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
