As a parent of teenagers and a professional in social media, I understand the challenges and concerns that come with guiding our children through the digital landscape. In 2025, the social media environment continues to evolve rapidly, presenting both opportunities and risks for our teens. Let’s explore the latest trends, privacy settings, parental control options, and effective communication strategies to help our teenagers navigate social media responsibly.
The Latest Apps and Trends Among Teens
Teenagers are at the forefront of adopting new social media platforms and trends. While established platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat remain popular, new entrants are capturing their attention:
- Noplace: A vibrant platform combining elements of Twitter and Myspace, allowing users to create personalised profiles and connect based on shared interests.
- Ten Ten: A walkie-talkie style app enabling teens to send voice messages to close friends, fostering more personal communication.
- Threads: Developed by Meta, Threads focuses on text updates, offering a streamlined experience for sharing thoughts and updates.
Short-form video content continues to dominate, with platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts leading the charge. These platforms cater to the preference for quick, engaging content that resonates with the teen audience.
Privacy Settings and Parental Control Options
Ensuring our teens’ safety online requires a proactive approach to privacy and parental controls. Here are some steps to consider:
- Familiarize Yourself with Platform Settings: Each social media platform offers unique privacy settings. Take the time to explore these settings on platforms your teen uses, adjusting them to limit data sharing and control who can view their content.
- Implement Parental Control Apps: Modern parental control apps provide comprehensive tools to monitor and manage your teen’s online activities. Top-rated options include:
- Bark: Monitors social media, text messages, and emails for signs of potential issues like cyberbullying or inappropriate content.
- Qustodio: Offers screen time management, app blocking, and location tracking to help maintain healthy digital habits. I use this one.
- FamilyTime: Provides features like geofencing, app blocking, and homework time settings to balance online and offline activities.
- Educate on In-App Controls: Many apps have built-in features to enhance safety. For instance, Instagram allows parents to supervise their child’s account, including managing followers and setting time limits.
Communicating About Responsible Social Media Use
Open and honest communication is key to helping teens navigate social media responsibly. Consider these strategies:
- Initiate Regular Conversations: Discuss the apps they use, the content they engage with, and any concerns they may have. This fosters trust and keeps you informed about their online world.
- Set Clear Expectations: Establish guidelines for appropriate online behaviour, emphasising the importance of kindness, respect, and critical thinking.
- Encourage Critical Evaluation: Teach your teens to assess the credibility of online content and to be mindful of the information they share.
- Lead by Example: Model responsible social media use in your own online interactions, demonstrating the behaviours you expect from them.
By staying informed about the latest trends, utilising available tools, and maintaining open lines of communication, we can empower our teenagers to enjoy the benefits of social media while minimising the risks.