Rules for Social Media Use

Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product, service, or external web site does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product, service, or external web site content by CPCMG. We attempt to keep lists of resources and referrals as up to date as possible; however, this information is constantly changing. Please check with the service provider and your insurance company to verify coverage.

Once access is granted, clear rules regarding social media use should be established and reviewed with the child. Basic rules that are reasonable to set up regarding social media use include:

At least one parent/caregiver should “follow” their child’s social media account(s) and periodically scan through their posts to ensure that the content and communications are appropriate and respectful.
“Like” or comment on their posts only periodically, to remind them of your presence without overwhelming them.
Having access to social media is a privilege, not a right. If the child consistently breaks the rules and boundaries set by their parents or guardians, it’s a privilege that can be removed (ex. social media apps deleted from phones) and earned back through responsible behavior.

This publication was authored by CPCMG Associate Director of Behavioral Mental Health, Dr. Patty Lee, and Harrison Howard, P.A.

Reviewed by: HH P.A., PL M.D., HB M.D. | 06/2024