Parents Should Monitor Children's Usage Of Social Media, Health Expert Says

As students head back to school beginning this week, parents are going to be keeping an eye on their children's grades and sleep schedules to monitor their well-being.

However, an Oklahoma City metro therapist said parents should be watching their child's digital footprint as well.

Kaydee Norton, a mental health therapist at Sunbeam Family Services, said she compares adolescent brains to sponges in regards to the way they absorb endless amounts of content online.

Norton said parents should be mindful of what their child is absorbing.

"There's so much content out there, and they can absorb it at a rapid rate," Norton said. "Our brains in our adolescent years are such sponges to that. We have to be mindful of what content our children are absorbing."

Norton said parents should also know that their kids look to them for how to do things in life so it’s important to be a good social media etiquette model, and if your child is becoming withdrawn and wants to spend more time on their devices rather than in things such as sports or being with friends, then it could be something to look into.

Norton said establishing boundaries and clear social media rules is the key to keeping a healthy balance as a parent of a child with social media.

Though there isn’t a specific age for getting started with social media, Norton said most platforms have an age requirement of 13 years old.