The use of social media by primary school learners

Every social media platform (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.) has an age restriction. For most platforms this age is 13.

Although you may decide to introduce your child to a particular platform at a later age as indicated (and this is obviously your choice), it is not your or your child’s choice, to allow him/her on that platform at an earlier age.

Whether you agree with the specific age set by the company, or regard your child as more mature and responsible, and therefore ready to engage with these platforms at an earlier age, is irrelevant.

To be able to use a particular platform you have to accept the user agreement – therefore also accepting the minimum age of use. The user entered into this agreement and must adhere to the rules.

There are reasons why these age restrictions are in place. And the reasons for this is not limited to the child’s inability to act responsibly and with sound judgement, but also the danger posed by other users exposing the child to numerous risks.

The risks children, especially below the age restriction, are exposed to, are almost endless: physical safety, psychological (emotional), developmental, sexual, kidnapping etc.

This is not a reflection on you as parent’s ability to educate or guide your child, or to put limitations in place, but a combination of the vulnerable developmental stage your child is in, combined with people who will take advantage of their vulnerabilities.

This obviously implies that either you will have to be aware of your child’s activities online, otherwise you wouldn’t know whether he/she created a social media account, or that you prohibit your child from being online (or at least without supervision).

More about the different approaches parents follow to deal with this issue in a following post.