Children thrive on structure and routine – so having to adjust to two different sets of rules in two different households when their parents divorce can be rough.
When parents can cooperate on some basic “ground rules” and expectations that are the same between both homes, that can make for an easier time for everybody involved. Along with agreements about bedtimes and curfews, homework rules and extracurriculars, you and your co-parent should also address social media use.
Your social media use – and theirs – should be a topic of discussion
In an age where social media is irrevocably intertwined with daily life, here are some of the biggest questions modern parents have to answer:
- At what age can your child have their own social media accounts? According to Forbes, a lot of parents use 12 as the age when they believe that children can (and maybe should) start having social media access on their own.
- What access should each parent have to a child’s social media accounts? Can one parent unilaterally “ban” a child from social media use for misbehavior or over safety concerns without the other’s consent?
- What sort of things do you not want your child to post? What rules can you and your spouse agree upon to protect your child from posting too much personal information?
You also need to establish some agreements about the parental use of social media where it concerns the kids. For example:
- Are parent-run social media accounts under your child’s name acceptable at an earlier age? Maybe your spouse has dreams that your child will become an influencer, and they want to start posting online on your child’s behalf early to build an audience. Is that acceptable? Within what limits? Or, do you prefer not to have your child’s life monetized?
- What kinds of posts can you and your spouse make on your own social media accounts? Will you block out your children’s faces until they turn a certain age? What about the use of real names and other identifying information?
While these seem like complicated issues to put into a parenting plan, it’s not nearly as complicated as the legal disputes that can arise when they’re forgotten. Learning more about the value of a strong parenting plan can help you get through this process easier.
