Generation Z (those born after 1997) have practically grown up with technology, and on top of that they are projected to be one of the most educated generations.[1] With that being said, it may not always be easy monitoring their online activity. So how do we level the playing field for parents? Knowledge! Go through our different levels of tips, and let’s equip you with the information teens may be afraid about parents knowing!
Level 1: Be aware of popular apps. According to Pew Research Center, the most popular apps among teens in 2018 were: YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Reddit. [1] We know this! However, different apps become popular all the time. Those apps would include: TikTok, Monkey, Houseparty, Discord, WeChat, and even dating apps (Tinder, Bumble, Hily, etc).
Level 2: Be aware of popular app features. Some today are:
- The ability to make parts of the profile hidden or filtering who sees what
- The ability to have location visible to friends 24/7 and
- The ability to video chat with strangers or friends
Level 3: Be vocal about what is acceptable in your household. Discuss topics like:
- the display of personal information
- account profiles being public or private
- the boundaries of picture taking and
- location sharing.
Level 4: Be aware of how information can be hidden. This could include:
- Manually hiding apps in the settings of iPhones and Androids. With a quick google search, there are many videos that will show you how it’s done.
- Making apps less noticeable by creating app folders
- Downloading fake apps to be a disguise for photos or different apps
Level 5: Be aware of ways you monitor activity. To accomplish this you can:
- Simply ask to look at your teen’s social media profiles
- Ask what app’s they have accounts with
- Use apps to monitor activity like SecureTeen, Net Nanny, and TeenSafe [2]
- Use the same iCloud or phone account to see previous purchases, subscriptions, and downloads
[1] https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2019/01/17/generation-z-looks-a-lot-like-millennials-on-key-social-and-political-issues/
[2] https://www.today.com/parents/these-3-apps-can-help-you-monitor-your-teens-activities-t105483
Posted by: Akiliah Walker, Marketing and Communications Intern
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