What are social networks?
Social networks connect people all over the world. This fascinates adults, young people and children. They share hobbies, common interests and much more. But what exactly is it about social media that fascinates young people in particular? And what prompts them to reveal sometimes very personal information about themselves?
Young people in particular are eager to present themselves. After all, their interests and social environment represent their personality. And this in turn brings recognition from others. Social media helps young people with this and supports them in coping with developmental tasks. Young people can also try things out in these mostly adult-free spaces. They often do not have to fear parental judgment or sanctions.
A young person can try out identity models on social networks in a very short space of time and with little effort. The platforms are thus used with regard to identity management processes. For most young people, it is important to be authentic and at the same time "come across" as cool, sexy, serious or funny as possible.
Social media are multi-functional. They appeal to almost every mood thanks to the different ways they can be used. If you are in a "no mood", you can simply click through profiles or groups, use applications and much more. If you're feeling energetic, you can get active, i.e. communicate and make appointments. Ultimately, as in real life, there is also "peer pressure" that young people like to bow to in order to compete with their social peer group. If almost all of their friends are registered on a social network, the young person must of course also try it out. Otherwise, he or she would run the risk of no longer being "up to date".
Tips for parents
Often, disputes among friends or a problematic class situation are behind bullying attacks. Talk to your child and, if necessary, inform the teacher in order to find a solution together.
In general, children and young people should break off contact immediately if the chat partners' questions become unpleasant or they feel pressured. Advise your child at an early stage never to meet an online acquaintance alone.
Everyone has the "right to their own image". Images that are posted without the consent of the person depicted can be reported or deleted. In the worst case, criminal action can also be taken against them.
Options for parental control
To ensure a safe online experience, many platforms offer special features for parental control and supervision. These features allow parents to monitor their children's usage behavior and take supportive measures. The most important features on various platforms are summarized below.
Parental control
Parental control allows parents to link their own account with their child's account. This makes it possible to monitor the time the child spends on Facebook and to view the friends list and individual account settings. Break times can be set up to support usage behavior.
→ Guidance from Media Childproof
Parental supervision
On Instagram, parents can view the time spent by their child and set time limits. It is also possible to check the accounts that the child follows and the accounts that follow the child. Parents also receive notifications about activities, for example when a new account follows the child.
→ Instructions from Media Parental Control
Snapchat
Snapchat Family Center
The Snapchat Family Center gives parents insights into their children's Snapchat usage. It is possible to see who the child is friends with and who they are communicating with, although the content of the conversations cannot be viewed. This function is available for children and young people aged 13 to 18.
→ Instructions from Media Parental Control
TikTok
Supervised mode
TikTok offers the supervised mode, in which parents or guardians can set the child's usage time. They have the option of regulating who the child contacts, whether they can search for content and whether videos can be displayed for adults.
→ Instructions for child-safe media
YouTube
Parental control
By activating parental control, parents have the option to choose from content settings for older children and young people. The videos are filtered and displayed by age group.
→ Instructions from Media Parental Control
Discord
Family Center
The Family Center allows parents to track their children's activities by providing insights into the communities or servers to which the child belongs.