THE SOCIAL MEDIA DEBATE

BY MANDY HOWARD

tween is generally defined as a child between the ages of 10 and 12. Most social media apps, including Instagram and TikTok, require users to be at least 13 years old. But you know your kids better than a social media app developer. And nothing in parenting is simple. Chances are, there’s already a rule-breaker in your home. According to a 2021 C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital national poll on children’s health, one-third of children ages 7–9, and almost half of children ages 10–12, use social media apps. This is not a condemnation. Responsibility is rarely determined by age. You might have an incredibly mature 11-year-old whose dance team only communicates via Instagram. Alternatively, your 15-year-old may be prone to anxiety. So, let’s ignore the age part of the question and dive in a little deeper to understand the different viewpoints on this hot topic.

Social media can be a good source for obtaining important information, supportive connections and, of course, entertainment. When something makes our kids smile, it’s tempting to ignore the negatives. But a Google search combining “mental health,” “social media” and “teens” produced pretty clear data: Social media use increases the risk of depression and anxiety, especially in teens and young adults. A read through certain articles might make you want to ban social media entirely. But we get it. The reality sets in when you discover that your child’s band director, piano teacher, coach or school administrator uses social media to communicate vital messages. Back to square one.

Despite the possible downsides, it’s likely your child is already on, or will soon be getting on, some form of social media. So instead of fighting a losing battle, let’s consider ways to mitigate the risks.

1. Take it step by step. Social media should be viewed as a privilege requiring your permission. If your child wants access to social media for a specific reason, allow access only to the specific platform that is needed. Help your kids learn to handle it responsibly before you allow them to access additional apps.

A2. Watch the time. The Mayo Clinic acknowledges a 2019 study of more than 6,500 12- to 15-year-olds that found that spending more than three hours a day on social media put them at a heightened risk for mental health problems. Set a limit for your kids and stick to it.

3. Keep it out of the bedroom. This might be hard if the genie is already out of the bottle, so to speak. But it can also be life-changing. Create a family charging station outside of all bedrooms, and set a bedtime for technology as well. Sleep deprivation causes multiple health issues and is commonly associated with social media use.

4. Say the words. Drill these words into your kids’ brains: “Don’t take nude photos of yourself and don’t share inappropriate pictures of anyone, ever.” Is it an awkward conversation to have? Yes. Are your kids going to roll their eyes and say, “I’d never do that!” Absolutely, they will. And yet a study reported in April 2018 by JAMA Pediatrics of 12- to 17-year-olds revealed that nearly one in seven teens have sent a “sext.” Snapchat is a favorite medium for inappropriate photos because images “disappear.” However, users have found ways to circumvent that feature. Kids need to know it’s not worth the risk, ever

5. Set an example. Whether you think they are or not, your kids are watching. Do you spend hours on social media? Is your mood or your self-worth affected by it? If your answer is yes, ask yourself, “Do I want the same for my kids?”

6. Talk about it. Most importantly, invite conversations with your kids about what they see, read and hear online. Follow them on their accounts and talk about the things they share. Chances are, they will mess up along the way.

7. Be present and available. Above all else, as you do your best to help your kids set boundaries, make sure they know they can talk to you and that nothing that happens online is bigger than your love for them.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, American Academy of Pediatrics and healthychildren.org.

RALEIGH SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

March 11, 10 a.m.–noon

Downtown Raleigh

Celebrate all things Irish during the 39th annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, which features marching bands, bagpipers, Irish dancing, festive floats and plenty of Irish cheer. raleighstpats.org

CARRBORO ANNUAL KITE FLY

March 12, 1–3 p.m.

Anderson Community Park

302 Highway 54 West, Carrboro

Go fly a kite in the blue skies over Carrboro! Spring is the perfect time to enjoy this colorful activity, which is sure to bring smiles to flyers of all ages. Take your own kite; a few will be available for those who don’t have one. carrbororec.org

ART IN BLOOM

March 15–19

North Carolina Museum of Art

2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh

This popular floral fundraiser, presented by PNC Bank, is a five-day event featuring more than 30 imaginative floral arrangements and offering visitors a unique way to connect with art through floral interpretations of the museum’s latest acquisitions and visitor-favorite works. Purchase tickets online. ncartmuseum.org/bloom

TARHEEL BALLOON FESTIVAL

March 17–19, daily 7 a.m.–8 p.m.

The Barn at Lloyd’s Dairy

226 N. Lloyd’s Dairy Road, Efland facebook.com/tarheelballoonfestival

Up, up and away! Watch as balloonists soar with the clouds in the 2nd annual Tarheel Balloon Festival at Lloyd’s Dairy Farm, an 800-acre farm in Efland. Enjoy traveling balloon rides, tethered rides, and morning and evening glow events. Purchase tickets online.

“FANCY NANCY: THE MUSICAL”

March 17–April 1

North Carolina Theatre

301 Pogue Street, Raleigh

Fancy Nancy and her friends Bree, Rhonda, Wanda and Lionel are performing in “Deep Sea Dances.” Nancy is positive that she and Bree will be picked to be mermaids. When another girl wins the coveted role of the mermaid, Nancy is stuck playing a dreary tree. Can Nancy bring fancy flair to her role, even though it isn’t the one she wanted?

Tickets are $17 for adults and $13 for ages 12 and younger. A sensory-friendly performance takes place April 1 at 2 p.m. raleighlittletheatre.org

MONSTER JAM

March 18, 7 p.m.; March 19, 1 p.m.

PNC Arena

1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh

See world-class driver athletes and the most recognizable trucks tear up the dirt and compete in rivalries of speed and skill at PNC Arena. Enjoy driver interviews, a judges’ zone overview and giveaways one hour before the event begins. pncarena.com

SPRING FLING

March 25, 10 am.–noon

Ting Park

101 Sportsmanship Way, Holly Springs

Welcome spring in Holly Springs at the Spring Fling, featuring games and activities for ages 8 and younger, inflatables and an egg hunt on the baseball field at noon. hollyspringsnc.us/360/spring-fling

March 25, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

University Club

3100 Tower Boulevard, #1700, Durham

Celebrate this year’s recipients of Soroptimist International of Raleigh’s Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women. The event is hosted by Soroptimist International of Raleigh, which provides women and girls access to education and the training they need to achieve economic empowerment. Hear from guest speaker Chasta Hamilton, founder and CEO of Stage Door Dance Productions and founder of the nonprofit Girls Geared For Greatness. Purchase tickets online. soroptimistraleigh.org

April 1–30

Venues across North Carolina

Enjoy a monthlong celebration of science as the North Carolina Science Festival, now in its 13th year, showcases 200-plus in-person and virtual events taking place throughout the state. These fun and educational community-based events—hosted by schools, colleges, libraries, museums, parks, businesses and organizations—celebrate the economic, educational and cultural impacts of science in North Carolina. ncsciencefestival.org

CHILDREN’S DAY FESTIVAL

April 22, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

Page-Walker Arts & History Center and surrounding spaces

119 Ambassador Loop, Cary

Take part in a celebration of children and the colorful mosaic of cultures that make up the Triangle. Enjoy performances by local youth, games, make-and-take international crafts, face painting, balloon animals, food trucks and more. A community corner featuring child-focused businesses and services rounds out the event. Admission is free. Presented by ATA-NC and Sister Cities of Cary. townofcary.org

FESTIVAL OF LEGENDS

April 22, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; April 23, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Optimist Club Farm, 2908 Optimist Farm Road, Apex

The Festival of Legends celebrates 10 years of magic with live music, mythical monsters, proud knights, fairytale creatures, fantasy-inspired vendors and more. Tickets are $15 online, $18 at the gate. Children 12 and younger are admitted for free with a paying adult. festivaloflegends.com

SPRING DAZE ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL

April 29, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Bond Park, 801 High House Road, Cary

Shop for unique gifts as Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival welcomes 170 juried artists and craftsmen. The event also features an Earth Day celebration for all ages with familyfriendly activities, live entertainment and local food vendors. townofcary.org

“JAMES CAMERON: CHALLENGING THE DEEP”

Through May 7

North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

11 W. Jones Street, Raleigh

Trace filmmaker James Cameron’s deep-sea voyages, including his record-breaking dive to the Mariana Trench, in an immersive exhibition that takes you into a deep-ocean environment using cinema-scale projections, artifacts and specimens from his expeditions. Explore the deepest ocean and discover the shipwrecks of the Titanic and the German battleship Bismarck. See original film props and costumes from “The Abyss” and “Titanic,” including the iconic Heart of the Ocean diamond. Tickets are $12–$16 online and free for museum members. naturalsciences.org