According to a recent report, teenagers spend an average of seven hours and 22 minutes using screens each day, excluding schoolwork.
While the internet will enable young people to chat with friends online and embrace passions, it is rife with various risks that can affect their mental and physical wellbeing. Here are five reasons to monitor your teen’s online activity.
- Cyberbullying
Research has found that 59% of US teens have experienced cyberbullying or harassment online. Unfortunately, a teen might be reluctant to discuss the problem with a parent or teacher due to fear or embarrassment.
By monitoring your son or daughter’s online activity, you can identify if one or more children are cyberbullying your child. You can then inform their school or provide advice to help them overcome bullying online. Also, you may discover your child is cyberbullying someone else, which you can then nip in the bud.
- An Anxiety Disorder
Many studies have found that social media is linked to various mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression. The more time your teen spends online, the more likely they will struggle with severe symptoms.
As teens are impressionable, they might compare themselves to their friends, acquaintances, or famous figures’ images online. It can ultimately shape their self-perception, and they might find it impossible to live up to other people’s lifestyles.
For this reason, you must limit your teen’s screen time each day and review the accounts they follow. Also, you must discuss how people will use social media to create an image that doesn’t always reflect their reality.
If your child continues to struggle with anxiety, they could benefit from treatment at a respected anxiety treatment clinic. Visit igniteteentreatment.com for more information.
- Online Predators
Sadly, many predators lurking online and will play on a teenager’s naivety. The last thing you will want is for your child to talk with an unscrupulous adult online, which is why you must monitor their online activity each day. In addition, it can prevent your child from forming friendships with strangers.
- Potentially Dangerous Activities
Monitoring social media behavior and online usage could help you identify and intervene in potentially dangerous activities. For example, your child might discuss committing an illegal activity with their friends, or they might Google risky or life-threatening topics, such as suicide or performing dangerous acts.
- Identity Theft
It might surprise you to learn that identity theft is common among teens and children. As young people will often submit much personal information online, a scammer could potentially steal their details to open various credit cards or commit fraudulent activities in their name. Monitoring your child’s internet usage will ensure your child doesn’t enter much personal data online, which will protect their credit score and financial future.
If you want to protect your child online, you must monitor their online behavior, set restrictions for screen time, and provide strict rules for them to follow, such as protecting their data and avoiding chatrooms.
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