Kids are being pressured more and more by peers and in turn pressuring their parents to allow access to social media.  It’s important for parents to listen to and validate their children’s reasons for wanting to use social media and then gently and firmly guide them through their own reasons for waiting.

General recommendation among pediatricians for when to allow access to social media is no earlier than 13 years old.  In fact, most social media platforms require that children be at least 13 years old to sign up.  Studies show kids having access earlier than age 13 show more problematic behaviors such as visiting inappropriate sites, engaging in cyberbullying, and social isolation/having only online friends.  

However, age is not the only factor to consider when deciding whether your child is ready for access to social media.  Their overall maturity, history of responsible behavior (or the lack thereof), and social awareness should be considered.  Questions to think about include:

• How does my child interact with peers and adults?  Do they seem to have a good grasp of appropriate, respectful social behavior?
• Can my child be trusted to report uncomfortable or inappropriate things they see or engage with online?
• Does my child understand that text messages, photos, and social media posts are never truly private and can become public and visible to all?

If you are uncertain about how your child will handle social media use, a trial period of a month or two can be helpful to determine their readiness.

This publication was authored by CPCMG Associate Director of Behavioral Mental Health, Dr. Patty Lee, and Harrison Howard, P.A.

Reviewed by: HH P.A., PL M.D., HB M.D. | 06/2024