Navigating the Digital Landscape with Your Children

​As a mother of four and an active member of the parenting community, I’m always seeking resources to help families navigate the digital landscape. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend Meta’s Screen Smart event, a program designed to empower parents in managing their teens’ use of digital devices and social media platforms.​

Understanding the Screen Smart Program

Meta’s Screen Smart program aims to assist parents in confidently guiding their teens through the complexities of the digital world. With an average teen using about 40 different apps each week, the program provides workshops and resources to help parents understand and utilize Meta’s parental supervision tools effectively. These workshops, held in various cities including Denver, Charleston, Houston, Boston, and Los Angeles, offer hands-on educational experiences and insights from academics and clinicians on supporting teens’ online experiences. ​

Empowering Parents with Enhanced Tools

One of the standout features introduced at the event was the implementation of parental supervision tools across Meta’s platforms. For instance, on Messenger, parents can now view how much time their teen spends on the app, see and receive updates on their teen’s contacts list, and be notified if their teen reports someone. These tools are designed to give parents more control over their children’s online interactions, ensuring a safer and more balanced digital experience. ​

Fostering Open Communication

Beyond the technical tools, the Screen Smart event emphasized the importance of open dialogue between parents and children about online behavior. Encouraging conversations about digital footprints, online etiquette, and the potential impact of social media can empower our children to make informed decisions and navigate the digital world responsibly.​

A Community Committed to Safety

Attending the event reinforced my belief that, as parents, we are not alone in this journey. Platforms like Instagram and Messenger are recognizing the challenges families face and are taking steps to create a safer online environment. By staying informed and utilizing these new tools, we can work together to ensure our children’s online experiences are positive and enriching.​

For more information on the features discussed and to explore additional resources, visit Meta’s official website.​

Note: This blog post is based on personal experiences and insights gained from attending the Meta Screen Smart event. For the most current information and updates, please refer to official Meta resources.