Have you ever wondered how to help your children be responsible when it comes to using social media? The Alpha generation, composed of children aged 12 to 17, mostly use platforms like Spotify, Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok.

TikTok is known as the trendy social media platform, so it’s important to understand how it works. Users create videos featuring lip-syncing, dances, contests, etc. Dangerous challenges have been found on TikTok, such as the blackout challenge, one chip challenge, and skull breaker challenge. The blackout challenge involves holding one’s breath or tying bags, scarves, or other items around oneself until fainting, and it can even lead to death. Meanwhile, the one chip challenge consists of eating a packet of pepper chips until vomiting and excessive sweating.

Guidelines to guide and accompany your children in the responsible use of technology:

• Share online time to explain how social networks work and inquire about their activities within them.

• Achieve a balance in the time spent on social media by promoting recreational experiences that encourage interaction with other people.

• Avoid allowing your children to go to bed with electronic devices, as these can disrupt sleep, affect mood, performance, and overall development.

• Establish a proper usage contract that sets clear expectations for both parents and children regarding the responsible use of technology.