While Social media can be an incredible communication tool, it can also be a dangerous and violent place, especially for children and teens. Violence on social media is becoming very common, and parents must take steps to protect their children from it. Let's look at ways parents can protect their children from social media abuse.

 Set clear boundaries

 The first step as a parent in protecting your child from social media abuse is to set clear limits on social media use. Setting limits on how much time your child can spend on social media, what platforms they can use and what content is appropriate can prevent them from being exposed to violent content.

PHOTO | COURTESY social media

 Monitor online activity

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Parents should regularly monitor their child's online activity. This includes monitoring their social media profiles, posts and communications. This can help parents identify potential dangers or warning signs early and intervene to protect their children.

 Educate your child

 Educating your child about the dangers of social media is very important. Teach them about online safety, including spotting and avoiding abusive content, reporting inappropriate behaviour or content, and protecting personal information. Encourage them to come to you if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe online.

 Use parental control software.

 Using parental control software can help parents keep their children safe online. These tools can block inappropriate content, restrict access to certain websites or apps, and monitor your child's online activity. Some social media platforms also have built-in parental controls that allow parents to monitor their children's usage.

PHOTO | COURTESY social media

 Encourage offline activity

 Encouraging your child to be active offline can help reduce their exposure to social media violence. Encourage them to participate in sports, hobbies and other activities they enjoy. This can help them develop healthy social skills and find satisfaction outside of social media.

 Promotes positive interactions online

 Encouraging positive online interactions can also help protect your child from social media. Teach them to treat others with kindness and respect online and to avoid participating in or sharing violent content. Encourage them to use social media to communicate positively and build positive relationships with others. Be a positive role model.

 be a role model

As a parent, being a positive role model for your child is important. This includes modelling positive online behaviour, such as using social media responsibly, avoiding sharing or participating in violent content, and treating others with kindness and respect. Children are more likely to imitate positive behaviour if they see their parents modelling it.