Social Media
When is my child ready for social media?
What to know
The essentials
- A child may be ready for one limited use before being ready for unrestricted access.
- Private accounts and family agreements reduce some risks but do not eliminate them.
- Readiness should be revisited as the child, platform, and peer environment change.
What to notice
Look for patterns, not one imperfect moment.
- 01Can they follow agreements when adults are not watching?
- 02Can they recognize pressure, manipulation, and requests for private information?
- 03Will they tell a trusted adult when something feels wrong?
- 04Can they tolerate waiting, limits, and being temporarily left out?
The useful question is not whether every online experience is good or bad. It is what this experience is doing in this child’s life.
What to do next
Begin with one manageable step.
- 1
Begin with a specific purpose and one platform rather than broad access.
- 2
Set privacy, contact, sleep, and purchasing expectations together.
- 3
Plan a review date and make changes based on what you both learn.
What to say
Start curious. Stay calm.
“What do you hope this app will add to your life?”
“What would make you come to me even if you worried I might take the phone away?”
“How will we know if this stops feeling healthy?”
The full picture
More context when you need it.
A gradual introduction can include co-use, a private account, a small contact list, limited features, and regular check-ins. Monitoring should be explained rather than hidden whenever safety allows.
If a child is already struggling with sleep, mood, impulsivity, bullying, or secrecy, slowing the introduction may be more helpful than relying on an age threshold alone.
Sources and review
Where this guidance comes from
This guide was reviewed in July 2026. Links open the current source so families can see the full guidance.