ONLINE DATING & TEENS

Brought to you by the St. Hubert Domestic Violence Outreach Ministry.
 
ONLINE DATING & TEENS
The reality of the world our children are growing up in is that they are going to meet people online. Teens are much more likely to connect with each other through some form of social media, whether it’s Twitter, Instagram, or teen matchmaking apps. Many students initiate relationships online to meet new people, avoid stressful in-person meetings, and hide their dating lives from their parents. 
 
Dating App Drawbacks
When they’re online, teens have the freedom to be whoever they want, which may be a good thing for a shy kid who just doesn’t feel comfortable talking directly to people. But, it also can be a dangerous thing. Telling secrets or saying bad things about people can work out badly too. Some teens create multiple personalities on social media, including ones that seem to invite blog followers to send inappropriate photos or ask for nude photos.
 
Advice for Parents
How are parents to know who their kids are connecting with online? As with most parenting issues concerning teens, parents need to have ongoing conversations with their teens about what they are doing and who they are meeting online. Parents need to help their teens understand that all is not necessarily as it seems.
 
It’s important to make sure teens understand that they should never provide personal information to strangers, such as where they live or go to school, and never agree to meet someone in person without bringing along a responsible adult.
 
There’s no way a teen is going to have those conversations if all they hear is doom and gloom. They will figure you don’t understand. They will make friends online, and they won’t tell you about it. So, talk to your teens. See what they think, and let them decide why on-line dating is not a very good idea.
 
Source: www.fosi.org/good-digital-parenting/your-teen-dating-online