Parents! How to Instagram

Hey Parents!

I've recently delved into the social media wold of Instagram and since it's been pretty popular among tweens I thought I'd try and help you understand Instagram and how to keep up with your kids if they have it.

On its most basic level Instagram is an app that allows you to take, edit and share pictures across the internet.  Instagram is one of the top 3 social media platforms currently available (the other two being Twitter and Facebook), and can be used on a computer as well as any mobile device.  It originated as an app specific to Apple but has recently opened to Android as well.

Here are 5 simple things to help you parent your kids on Instagram:

1.  Create Clear Rules for Using Instagram. Creating structure and clear expectations with your kids will help you and your kids understand what Instagram is to be used for.  If your child breaks the rules let them know what rule they broke and why they're facing a consequence for breaking that rule.  If you haven't set up guidelines for your kids to use Instagram it's never too late to start.  By doing this you'll be a mean parent for a bit - but it will make life much, much easier for you and your kids.

2. Monitor Their Account.  There are two great ways to do this.  First, be sure you have the username and password to their account.  Let them know you're going to log in and check their account - and then be sure to actually do it.  If you create clear rules then it won't be a huge shock for them when they see you digging through their account.  Second, create and account yourself.  If your kids need you to be the mom or dad who knows you are their friend, then name your account so everyone knows you are a follower (i.e. your full name, or bring your kids name into your account somehow - such as @TimmyKsMother).  Or, if you want your presence to be more discreet, then create a weird name for your account that nobody will recognize.

Just because you have an account doesn't mean you need to actively use it - so don't feel like you have to accept another social media responsibility.  You can use it for the sole purpose of keeping up with your kids from a distance.

3.  Read the Hashtags.  This is a very daunting task, but it's important.  A hashtag is a way to categorize your post, so it's a good way to understand why they're posting that picture.  If you see words you don't understand (and you will see them) please refer to my previous post about a great tool that can help you decipher what they're saying.

4.  Look Through Your Kids Followers and Who Your Kids Follow.  This allows you to see if any shady people are following your children as well as see if your kids are following any shady people.  I know a 5th grade student who has over 800 followers - I can guarantee there are a handful of those 800 people who should be blocked from that students profile.  When you see something shady address it, but understand that when your child follows 800 people there is no way (s)he can know who everyone is - so they might have accepted a follower on accident and didn't realize they were there (it's happened to me in Twitter before. Let's just say it was interesting.).

Another strategy for this is to create a clear rule that anyone you follow/follows you must be someone you know personally.  This will limit some awesome people for your kids to follow (i.e. the Reds, public figures etc), but it allows you better control over who's interacting with your kids.

5.  Set Your Child's Account To Private.  This is a great feature that prevents anyone you don't know from accessing your child's account.  This link does a better job explaining it than I ever could! http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Instagram-Photos-Private

Following these 5 simple steps can help you tremendously with your kids as well as keep you in the loop with their activities.  Remember, when your kids get mad at you because you're invading their privacy that you are doing the right thing.  There are countless other parents going through the same thing you are and experiencing similar struggles.  If you don't believe me then post something about it on Facebook and within 10 minutes you'll see you're not alone.

As always, feel free to comment or contact me for any more information about Instagram or social media and I'll do my best to help you out.