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In the wake of Instagram’s recently announced protections for teen accounts, parents across the country are seeking guidance on navigating the increasingly complex social media landscape. Parenting expert Aliza Pressman and NBC technology contributor Joanna Stern joined TODAY to address common concerns and provide practical advice for families grappling with digital challenges.
The timing of these discussions comes as social media platforms face mounting pressure to create safer environments for young users. Instagram’s head of platform recently detailed a revamped restrictions system that includes content ratings and enhanced parental controls, reflecting broader industry moves toward greater accountability.
“Parents are asking the right questions,” said Pressman during the segment. “They want to know when their children should begin using social media, how to protect them from harmful content, and how to teach critical thinking about what they see online.”
One of the most pressing questions addressed was the appropriate age for children to create social media accounts. While most platforms officially require users to be at least 13 years old—a requirement stemming from the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)—experts acknowledged the reality that many children access these platforms earlier.
“The conversation shouldn’t just be about age, but about readiness,” Stern explained. “Parents need to consider their child’s emotional maturity, impulse control, and ability to understand the permanence of what they post online.”
The experts emphasized that social media use should begin with close parental supervision that gradually transitions to more independence as teens demonstrate responsible behavior. They recommended starting with accounts that parents and children manage together, with regular check-ins about content and interactions.
Another major concern centered on algorithmic content delivery. Recent research has highlighted how recommendation systems can lead young users down problematic content paths, from harmful beauty standards to extremist viewpoints.
“Platforms are finally implementing more controls, but parents still need to be proactive,” said Stern. “Regular conversations about what appears in your child’s feed and teaching them to recognize when algorithms are pushing them toward certain content is essential.”
The rise of AI-generated misinformation presents another challenge for young users. The experts stressed the importance of teaching children to verify information from multiple sources and question content that seems designed to provoke strong emotional reactions.
“Digital literacy is now as important as traditional literacy,” Pressman noted. “Children need to develop a healthy skepticism about what they see online and understand how to check facts.”
The experts also addressed practical safeguards parents can implement, including setting time limits, creating tech-free zones in the home, and utilizing built-in parental controls on devices and platforms. They emphasized that these technical solutions work best when combined with ongoing conversations about responsible digital citizenship.
“The goal isn’t to create fear or ban technology,” Pressman said. “It’s to help our children develop a healthy relationship with these powerful tools while protecting them from potential harms.”
This guidance comes as research continues to emerge about social media’s impact on adolescent mental health. Recent studies have shown correlations between heavy social media use and increased anxiety, depression, and negative body image among teens, particularly girls.
As platforms introduce more safety features and controls, the experts emphasized that technology companies, parents, and educators all share responsibility for creating healthier digital environments for young people.
“These conversations need to happen regularly, not just when there’s a problem,” concluded Stern. “The digital landscape is constantly changing, and our approach to guiding children through it needs to evolve too.”
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20 Comments
Equipping parents with practical guidance on navigating the social media landscape is crucial. Fostering critical thinking and digital literacy skills in young users is an essential part of this effort.
Agreed, empowering families with the right tools and knowledge is key as these technologies become increasingly integral to daily life.
The appropriate age for social media accounts is a complex issue without easy answers. Thoughtful guidance from parenting experts can help families navigate this landscape.
Absolutely, there are valid arguments on both sides. Nuanced, evidence-based advice is key for parents making these decisions.
The appropriate age for social media accounts is a complex issue without easy answers. Thoughtful, evidence-based advice from experts can help families make informed decisions.
Teaching critical thinking around online content is so vital in the digital age. Glad to see experts emphasizing this aspect of digital literacy for young users.
Curious to see how the specific social media guidelines and controls evolve over time. Protecting vulnerable users while fostering digital literacy is an ongoing challenge.
The timing of this discussion is noteworthy given the heightened scrutiny on social media’s impact, especially for young users. Proactive steps toward greater transparency and control are a positive sign.
Establishing appropriate age limits and content controls for social media is a tricky issue. Glad to see efforts to make these platforms safer for children and teens.
Absolutely, empowering parents with practical advice is key as social media becomes an increasingly integral part of young people’s lives.
Interesting that the social media platforms themselves are now taking more proactive steps to address safety and accountability. A positive development, though more work remains.
Curious to learn more about the specific guidelines and controls Instagram has introduced. Providing greater transparency and control for families is an important step.
Yes, the details on Instagram’s new protections will be interesting to see. Balancing openness with safety is an ongoing challenge for these platforms.
While social media has become ubiquitous, the potential risks for young users are real. Thoughtful, evidence-based approaches to safety and accountability are essential.
Absolutely, finding the right balance between access and safeguards will be an ongoing process that requires input from experts, platforms, and families.
The increasing prominence of social media in young people’s lives underscores the importance of equipping families with the right tools and knowledge. This discussion seems like a step in the right direction.
Agreed, empowering parents with practical guidance is crucial as these technologies become more deeply integrated into daily life.
Interesting to see experts providing guidance on navigating the complex social media landscape. Protecting young users while fostering critical thinking is crucial in the digital age.
Agreed, the right balance between access and safeguards is an ongoing challenge for families and platforms alike.
The timing of this discussion is significant given the heightened scrutiny social media companies face around youth protection. Proactive steps to address parental concerns are a positive sign.