Foundations of Navigating Social Media with Children

Social media has reshaped childhood and adolescence. Sound parenting rests on understanding the landscape, the risks and benefits, and the principles of thoughtful engagement. This foundational course provides that base. By the end of this course you will be able to describe the major social media platforms and how they differ, recognize the risks and benefits children encounter, identify the principles of thoughtful engagement, and understand the role of digital literacy. What you will learn: - The major platforms and what children actually do on them - The design features that shape user experience including feeds and notifications - The risks including comparison, body image, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, and addiction - The potential benefits including connection, creativity, and identity exploration - The principles of thoughtful engagement including digital literacy and self-awareness - The role of age guidelines and platform requirements - The role of professional support when impact is significant The course uses readings, platform overviews, case examples, and reflection prompts. Each module ends with applied exercises. This course is written for parents and caregivers thinking about social media in their family. By the end you will have replaced fragmented impressions with a clearer understanding of the landscape and the principles that support thoughtful family decisions.