You Are Now Entering The Digital Playground
A Guide for Guardians into How Young People Use Social Media
Things don’t quite look like they used to, eh? As a millennial, growing up with a mobile phone was a luxury and it certainly didn’t offer all they do today (we remember our first camera phones fondly). Today, even the youngest members of society are using digital platforms and social media—usually directly from the palm of their hands.
For people as young as 8-years-old, this experience is less about social networking as we might think of it and more about exploring digital playgrounds tailored to their age group. Understanding how children use social media can provide insights into their digital habits, safety concerns, and the benefits and challenges of early online interactions.
Social media for children around the age of 8 is, as imagined, very different from that of teenagers or adults. The focus is primarily on entertainment, education, and creative expression and can usually be best set up with the help of parental controls suited to their individual needs.
But where do young people spend most of their time online? We did some digging so you don’t have to.
This is one of the most-used, and maybe best-known, platforms. YouTube Kids offers a curated selection of videos that range from educational content to entertainment, all the while ensuring that children are watching age-appropriate material. Parental controls allow guardians to manage what content their children can access—without limiting any of the fun.
These are gaming platforms but they also double as a new type of social media. Roblox, in particular, allows children to create, share, and play games, fostering creativity and collaborative skills. Both platforms have built-in chat functions so players can stay connected and parents can still monitor these for added comfort.
Educational and Interactive Apps
Apps like Animal Jam and Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. combine learning with fun. On apps like these you’ll find interactive games and activities that encourage educational growth while providing a platform for children to interact with others.
So, how do you know what to look out for to know if an app is appropriate for young kids?
There are many factors to consider when young kids approach you about the latest app they want to join. The markers of a good app would be entertainment, learning and creativity, social moments, and safety features. While apps like TikTok and Instagram might seem appealing, they are filled with content that requires active parent management to analyse how appropriate it might be. Sometimes the apps we as guardians use so frequently might feel like the easiest options to lean on—remember to check the content of an app before allowing young people to explore freely.
For young people, social media is a gateway to a world of fun. With proper guidance and safeguards, these platforms can offer valuable experiences that contribute to their development. In order to bring this to life, parents and guardians can play a crucial role in helping to find the right platform for their child so that they can gain the most from life online.