How Your Babysitter Can Help Keep Your Kids Safe On Social Media

In recent times, social media has taken over the world. The user base of social media is getting younger and younger, and it is likely that your own kids are using social media. Because of the potential risks and dangers that come along with these platforms, it is crucial to monitor your children’s usage and posts on the platforms they use. While it may seem impossible to keep track of every platform, you have a resource available to you- your babysitter. Your babysitter, especially if they are young, is more in the “know” of what social media platforms are out there, how they work, and how to help monitor what your kids are doing. Knowing how to have your babysitter help monitor social media usage can help them stay safe and help you maintain your peace of mind.

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Set rules for the babysitter

Set rules for what your babysitter can post in terms of your children. Are you comfortable with them sharing anything about your kids? If not, consider not allowing them to post your kids or ensuring that their privacy settings are on their highest possible setting. Also, set rules about whether or not they can share locations, show faces, or tell general stories. If you allow your children to be friends or followers with your babysitter, consider what you would like your babysitter to report to you if they notice anything out of the ordinary, especially if it is something that was said in a private message.  

Help your babysitter decrease your kids’ screen time

Kids are growing up in a time of screens galore. There are screens all over the place, and many kids are getting phones earlier and earlier. While screens have their place, it is still important for kids to have time away from their screens and social media. Encourage your babysitting to have kids get in physical activity. Have materials on hand for your babysitter to do things that do not involve screens. If your babysitter is out of ideas, consider having your babysitter play educational apps or set up specific times to watch movies. This will help limit time spent on social media and on screens in general.

Be clear on your rules

Your babysitter may have different ideas of what kinds of rules should be in place for social media, but when it comes to your children, it is crucial that they follow your rules. Before your babysitter watches your kids for the first time, be sure to tell them what your rules are for social media and screen time in general, and encourage your babysitter to enforce these rules. You need to trust that your babysitter will be firm yet gentle in enforcing the rules and disciplining as needed. Give your babysitter guidance as necessary in terms of how to best discipline your children and when to do so when it comes to screen time and social media usage. If you feel like your babysitter is being too lenient in terms of the rules, have a talk with them about why you have screen time and social media rules in place.

Ask your babysitter about platforms

Technology is constantly growing and changing and new platforms and trends are constantly popping up. While you may do your best to stay on top of these updates, you have a lot on your plate with work and your kids. It is likely that your babysitter is younger and is more up-to-date with the latest social media platforms and even safety features. Occasionally, ask them if they know of any new platforms or new safety features that have come up. You may even have your babysitter stay afloat on social media news and updates and let you know of any changes they see, even before you ask if they know of anything.

Add your babysitter to your social media accounts

It is normal to not want your kids on social media at all. You may take measures to prevent photos of your children on accounts that are not your own. This is because you control who can see it, and if their pictures are on other people’s accounts, you do not have control over who can see and share the images. This is also the case if your babysitter is using social media while babysitting, especially if they are video chatting with a friend while your kids are around. Your kids may want to say hi to whoever is on the other end, and that person, who is likely a stranger, can take screenshots of your kid. Decide whether or not you are okay with your babysitter posting images of your kids or sharing information about what they do as a part of your job. If you do see a post on their social media that you do not approve of, you can have them remove it immediately if you see it. Adding your babysitter on social media allows you to see what they post, including about the work they do for you.

You want to protect your kids from dangers online, so it is important to recruit your babysitter for assistance in keeping them safe.