Kaipātiki Parent Pack
Social Media
In today’s digital age, social media plays a dominant role in the lives of teenagers, shaping how they communicate, perceive themselves, and engage with the world. While platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat offer spaces for creativity and connection, they also raise serious concerns about teens’ mental, emotional, and social well-being.
The constant exposure to curated lifestyles, instant feedback, and relentless content consumption can increase anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues. One of the most pressing issues is cyberbullying, which differs from traditional bullying in that it can occur anytime and anywhere, often amplifying harm through ridicule, exclusion, and the sharing of private information. Many teens feel pressure to maintain a flawless online image, leading to harmful comparisons, social isolation, and fear of missing out.
Another concern is the accessibility of explicit content, including pornography, which can distort teens’ views on relationships, consent, and body image—risks that are further magnified by AI-generated content such as deepfakes. This type of media can violate privacy and cause lasting harm to victims. Additionally, social consequences such as reduced empathy, impaired communication skills, and difficulty forming offline relationships are becoming more common. The addictive design of social platforms often interferes with sleep, school, and family life, compounding the negative impact on adolescent development.
Some ways to support your teen regarding social media use is:
- Model healthy behavior with phone use. Teen’s mirror the behavior they see so try and be aware of how much phone usage you are doing
- Foster open communication where they feel safe enough to talk to you about their online experience. Ask questions like “why do you like this app so much?” or “have you ever seen anything online that has made you feel worried or icky”?
- Set boundaries together around phone use. Including them in deciding this will help them feel a sense of responsibility. This could look like- phone free at the table and regular detox days
- Discuss with your child the reality of online danger and consequences of sharing private information or photos. Teach them to think critically about what they share and who they interact with
- Talk with your teen that its okay to block, delete and report online bullying or negative behavior. Remind them that it’s okay to come to you if they or a friend is experiencing online harm, and you can navigate it together
- In the weekend or evenings, promote offline activities. Suggest going outdoors, playing a board game or creative interests to foster connection and have a break from online culture
- Monitor your teens phone usage. While it’s important to keep an eye on your teen’s digital life, excessive surveillance can backfire and damage trust. Use parental controls appropriately, but prioritize transparency—let your teen know what you’re monitoring and why. Balance safety with respect for their growing independence.
Several apps offer parental controls to monitor teen phone use, including Qustodio, Bark, and Google Family Link. These apps provide features like screen time limits, web filtering, app blocking, and social media monitoring.
Resources
To report online bullying or concerns:
Netsafe is a New Zealand-based organisation that promotes online safety and provides support, advice, and resources to help people navigate digital challenges.
netsafe.org.nz
Text us: “netsafe” 4282
Call us: 0508 638 723
Download the Parent Pack Brochure
