Parents, let’s face it; social media is here to stay and most teenagers are active with their own Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat accounts. Instead of fighting the trend, teach these simple rules to your teens for safe social networking.

Be polite
Bad behavior is just as unacceptable in the virtual world as it is in the real world. Emphasize to your teen that they should treat others with respect and courtesy. So degrading messages, bullying online behaviors, and taunts are strictly not allowed.

Think carefully before clicking enter
Remind teens that what they post they are accountable for. Not everyone on social media is nice and when they post seemingly innocent photos of a holiday or give details about upcoming events, it can make it easier for stalkers to strike.

Follow the ‘What would grandma think’ rule
This is a great rule to inculcate in kids. Never post anything that they would be ashamed to show grandparents or other relatives. Content should be transparent and clean for everyone to see. They shouldn’t share anything on social media that they wouldn’t want their teachers or even future bosses to see.

Use privacy settings
Privacy settings are vital and teach these step-by-step to ensure that your kids understand each one. Also, never accept a “friend” request from a stranger. This is a safe and simple rule to follow at all times.

(Credit: www.kidshealth.org)