Appropriate or Not?
Apps and social media - Are our kids old enough?
Age Restrictions Have a Purpose
Age Restrictions are set in place for the protection of children. If you allow your child to access or use age-restricted platforms or apps, you could be putting your child at risk for inappropriate content or cyber bullying and, inadvertently, other children who might be exposed to this content via your child's device.
The purpose of this flyer is to inform you of the age-restrictions associated with some of the apps we have seen on our student iPads.
Below is a list of popular social media platforms and apps with their age restrictions:
BBM
Snapchat
Be aware that with SnapChat the videos are deleted once viewed, so it is difficult for parents to see what their children have been sent.
YouTube
There is a lot of inappropriate material on YouTube, but there options available for protecting your children:
YouTube safety settings: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/174084?hl=en
YouTube Parent resources: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/126289?hl=en
A Quieter YouTube Experience - YouTube without the clutter: http://quietube.com/
GMail/Google
Vine
CAUTION - Risk of inappropriate content.
Please read this article for more information:
What parents need to know about the app Vine
HOWEVER...
The Vine Kids app gives children a fun way to watch Vines. Kids can watch hand-selected videos that are appropriate for a young audience.
We Heart It
Another way of looking at it:
Should you decide to allow your child to be on these platforms and use these apps, you need to be willing to walk the path with them. Children need to be taught best practice for using these platforms. They need to be given the tools to deal with situations that make them feel uncomfortable and upset, and they need to have a reliable, trustworthy adult(s) to whom they can turn in the event of such a situation. Lay down guidelines for your child and encourage an environment of open discussion where there are no secrets in your home, A relationship of TRUST is vital. You also need to stay abreast of the latest social media platforms and fads.
Some food for thought: Are you modelling best behaviour by allowing your child to falsify his/her birth date in order to have a Facebook (or other) profile?
The ultimate decision lies with you, the parent, but bear in mind that it could have an impact on other children too. We trust that this information will help you to make informed decisions regarding your child’s apps and social media access.