The internet today resembles the Wild West—vast, unpredictable, exhilarating, yet fraught with risks. Simply sending our tweens or teens into this digital frontier with vague warnings (Be cautious! Make wise decisions! Don’t trust strangers!) isn’t sufficient. They require a solid framework derived from our family’s values to navigate this landscape safely.
With this in mind, I recently drafted a social media agreement for my 13-year-old son, Alex. On his birthday, we granted him access to Instagram, but he quickly posted a photo that we found inappropriate. After receiving messages from family members expressing concern, it became evident that we needed a clear set of guidelines. A written contract would not only clarify expectations but also minimize debates over the rules. After all, an agreement signed by both parents and the child is hard to dispute.
Here’s the agreement:
- I agree to maintain my social media accounts with “private” settings at all times.
- I commit to not sharing any photos that only highlight my body parts. I will share images of myself or friends only if they show our faces. This guideline is in place to protect my well-being, as it isn’t healthy for a young person to sexualize themselves in front of strangers.
- I agree not to post any sexualized images. This includes any form of kissing, touching body parts, or making sexual gestures. While being playful is fine, the internet isn’t a safe space for a young person to express themselves in a sexual manner.
- I promise to be respectful of myself and others in my words and images. This means I will not use social media to ridicule, tease, embarrass, gossip, or share secrets about anyone.
- For my safety, I agree not to disclose my exact location when I am there. For example, I won’t post, “I’m at the mall with friends and then heading home.”
- I pledge to immediately inform an adult family member if I receive any threatening or inappropriate messages or images on any platform.
- I agree to abstain from viewing pornography. I understand that while healthy sexual experiences are a part of adult life, pornography is not suitable for young people. I recognize that once I start looking at pornographic content, I may encounter images that are harmful and everlasting. If I happen to stumble upon such material or a friend shows it to me, I will stop watching immediately. I acknowledge that many individuals in those videos are facing significant issues and that it’s natural to be curious. I can make my own choices as an adult, but until then, I commit to avoiding this material.
- I acknowledge that everything I post online is permanently accessible, even if deleted. People with technical expertise can retrieve deleted content, and even private messages can be copied. I understand that in the future, anyone can search my name and find everything I’ve ever shared online—this includes potential employers, friends, and family.
- I agree to set my devices aside during family time, and this rule applies to adults as well.
- I understand that I will have periodic tech-free days if I show signs of needing a break—like not engaging in reading or creative activities, irritability, or disinterest in family interactions.
- I agree to refrain from using all technology, including my phone, after 8:00 PM unless I’ve requested an exception.
- If I fail to adhere to these commitments, I understand that I will lose my social media privileges for a duration determined by my parents. I recognize that my family loves me dearly and creates these boundaries out of that love.
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In summary, this social media agreement serves as a crucial guide to help my teen navigate the complexities of online interactions safely and respectfully while maintaining the values of our family.
Keyphrase: Teen Social Media Agreement
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