Teens & Social Media
Most teens use social media daily. It helps them connect and create, but it also brings risks: bullying, pressure, scams, predators, lost sleep and effects on mood. Parents, caregivers and teens themselves can reduce the risks with open talk, good settings and clear agreements.
- Parents & Caregivers
- Teens
- Teachers
- Youth Workers
Main risks
- Cyberbullying and harassment. See Online Harassment.
- Contact from strangers and predators, including grooming. See Recognizing Online Grooming and Kids Online Safety.
- Sextortion: criminals trick teens into sending images, then threaten to share them unless paid or sent more. See Sextortion.
- Oversharing and location data: photos and tags can reveal home, school and routines. See Social Media Privacy.
- Scams and fake offers: fake giveaways, jobs and money-flipping scams. See Payment App Scams.
- Harmful content and misinformation. See Spotting Misinformation Online.
- Sleep loss, anxiety, comparison and low self-esteem. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that heavy use may harm youth mental health and asked for safeguards.
- Permanent digital footprint that can affect school and jobs later. See Social Media & Your Job.
What parents and caregivers can do
- Talk early and often, without judgment. Ask what apps they use and what they like. Make clear they can tell you about anything that scares or upsets them without losing their phone.
- Check age limits. Most platforms require users to be at least 13. Consider waiting longer and starting with limited access.
- Set up privacy settings together: private accounts, limits on who can message, comment or tag, location sharing off, and strong passwords with two-factor authentication. See Two-Factor Authentication.
- Use parental controls and platform family tools for age-appropriate settings, time limits and activity oversight, balancing trust and privacy. See Parental Controls.
- Make a family media agreement: phone-free times (meals, homework, bedtime), charging devices outside bedrooms, which apps are okay, and rules on sharing photos.
- Follow or friend their accounts only if agreed, and model good habits yourself.
- Watch for changes: secrecy, mood swings, withdrawal, sleep problems, unexplained money requests or gifts.
Tips for teens
- Think before you post. Anything online can be copied, saved and shared. Don't post your address, school, schedule or location in real time.
- Only accept friends you know. Don't share passwords or private photos, even with someone you trust.
- Never send intimate images. If someone threatens you, stop, don't pay, save evidence and tell a trusted adult. It is not your fault.
- Block, mute and report people who bully or pressure you. Take screenshots first.
- Take breaks. If social media makes you feel worse, step back, curate your feed or talk to someone.
- Don't meet online contacts alone; tell a parent and meet in public if ever.
Where to get help
- NCMEC's CyberTipline (CyberTipline.org, 1-800-843-5678) for online exploitation and sextortion, and Take It Down (takeitdown.ncmec.org) to help remove nude images of minors.
- Call 911 for immediate danger. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) is for mental health crises. See Reporting Cybercrime.
- Talk to school counselors, pediatricians or trusted adults about stress, bullying or addiction-like use.
Teens and social media checklist
- Accounts are private, locations are off and passwords are strong
- We have a family agreement on time, bedtime and sharing
- My teen knows they can tell me anything without losing the phone
- We know how to block, report and save evidence
- We know about the CyberTipline, Take It Down and 988
Standards & references
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