Sharenting may have long-term effects on kids long after the pictures are posted

In 2023, most children have a digital footprint before they are even born. While sharing images online can be a way to show your child’s milestones with distant relatives and friends, especially in light of the pandemic and travel plans being halted, there’s a difference between sharing and oversharing. The “Sharenting” (parents oversharing on social media) trend is still on the rise but many parents are starting to reconsider where and how often they share images of their kids online.

So, what should you think about before posting pics of your kiddos on social media? Experts have weighed in on everything from personal privacy to online safety; keep reading to find out what they had to say.

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Think Twice Before Posting Embarrassing Photos

While you might think your toddler having a tantrum or your tween misbehaving is so hilarious that you have to share it on social media, putting anything online leaves a permanent trail that will follow your kids for the rest of their lives. "Not only is this kind of oversharing disrespectful to your child, but you should also consider how these types of images or videos will be perceived by others, and the impact it could have on your kid when he/she is older," says parenting expert and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, Dr. Laura Markham. If it's on the internet, as well as the possibility of humiliating them later in life, there's a chance it could be seen by school bullies, college admissions officers, and future employers. Next time, ask yourself how you would feel if it was you in the photo instead.

Consider the Message You Are Giving Your Kids

As parents, we are constantly telling our kids about the risks of using social media and teaching them about online safety. But, we then ignore our own advice when posting photos of them. "It's our job to teach and model online literacy and safety," says Dr. Markham. "When children grow up routinely seeing photos of themselves online, they think it's the norm. We're inadvertently teaching them that they have no privacy and no control over their online image."

Related: “Sharenting” Could Have Damaging Effects on Your Kids

mom and newborn baby
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Be Mindful of Giving Away Personal Information

According to a UK study by Parent Zone and Nominet, the average parents share almost 1,500 photos of their kids online before their 5th birthday. Many parents announce the birth of their babies all over social media, while some go one step further and hashtag their kids' names or even set up Instagram accounts for their little darlings before they can even talk. While it's kinda cute, all someone needs is a name, date of birth, and address, which they can get using a geotagged photo, and this can put youngsters at risk of identity theft and digital kidnapping: when someone uses photos and details of someone else's kids and pretends they are their own. According to a national internet safety expert, Katie Greer, if your kids are searchable, anyone can find out anything about them. "To maximize the online safety of your child, limit the information you share about them," she says.

Avoid Posting Photos of Your Kids in the Nude

That photo of your little angels in the bath, running around the yard in the nude, or even in their underwear might be adorable to you, but once you post it, you no longer have control over it, and anyone can do what they want with it. "There is a chance this kind of photo could end up in unintended hands. Even using seemingly harmless hashtags like #pottytraining or #bathtime can also attract the attention of the wrong people," says Katie Greer. "Your kids' online safety is paramount, so to keep things simple, keep their clothes on."

when it comes to "sharenting" be careful not to share your location
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Be Wary of Revealing Locations and Routines

It's surprisingly easy to track people using the information you can get from photos posted online. To protect your kids from potentially being discovered by child predators, Justin Lavelle, a leading expert on online safety and scam prevention and Chief Communications Officer with beenverified.com recommends turning off geotagging and location services and never posting details about where you live, including your address. "Avoid tagging the locations of places you and/or your children may be at frequently and crop out backgrounds with recognizable landmarks. First day of school? Take a picture at home with them in their new backpack, not in front of the school building with the name clearly visible," he says. "Do not advertise their routines and wait a few days before posting photos of birthday trips or visits to the park."

Get Permission to Post

While some might argue that parents have every right to post family photos, kids don't ask for such public childhoods. While babies and toddlers generally have no say in what mom or dad posts, tweens, teens, and even younger kids often feel their parents share too much about them online without their consent. Take Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter, Apple, who, after seeing that her mother had posted a selfie of the two of them without her permission, reportedly called her out in the comments. "While you might think it's your right to post what you want on social media when you ask kids, many don't want photos of them to be put online," says Dr. Laura Markham. "Our children have a right to decide what is posted about them and deserve not to have their privacy violated by us. It's important to get their approval first."

Related: New Study Sheds Light On Sharenting

mom of newborn should know the danger of sharenting
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Beware of the Backlash

When you're posting photos of your kids online, especially in the public domain for all to see, it's important to consider what the people who see the photos might think. They might not like it for all sorts of reasons and will be happy to tell you exactly how they feel. This can be very hurtful. There are many instances where people have been attacked for oversharing on social media. In 2019, Pink appeared on The Ellen Show and explained why she had stopped sharing photos of her kids after getting comments attacking her for posting a photo of one of her kids without a diaper. 

Pay Attention to Your Privacy Settings

If you're going to post photos on social media, then check your privacy settings regularly. According to the Child Rescue Coalition, 89 percent of parents haven't checked their privacy settings in over a year. Facebook, Instagram, and other social media apps all have different settings. Without realizing it, you may be sharing your photos with the general public, aka strangers. Also bear in mind that the friends and family you share your photos with may have different privacy settings, which means they could potentially share your photos too. "Public posting means anyone, anywhere can see it," says Lavelle. "Keep your posts private, set your profiles to private, and make sure your posts are only visible to a custom audience of friends and family."

rawpixel via Unsplash

Consider the Bigger Picture

No one knows what happens with all the photos once they have been posted on social media. Take Facebook (which also owns Instagram and Whatsapp), which has been all over the news recently due to data breaches and their handling of personal information. Do you want these big corporations to have access to all sorts of data on your kids that you inadvertently supply? "While it's wonderful that technology allows us to be connected with family and friends around the world using social media and other photo-sharing apps, there is so much we don’t know," says Lavelle. "It comes down to common sense, smart-decision making, and being careful what you post." 

Be Present in the Moment

When your child is performing in a show or playing in a match, of course, you want to capture every proud moment on camera so you can share it with family, friends (and maybe the whole world.) We've all done it. But your kids see you with your phone in front of your face instead of watching them, and you won't be able to focus on what they're doing. Next time, put your phone away, watch, and be proud. Your kiddos will love that they have your undivided attention, and you will be able to enjoy the experience much more.

Related: Dear Moms “Oversharing” On Social Media: I See You

two moms with their baby
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Consider Private Social Networks

As mainstream platforms like Facebook and Instagram come under fire, private social apps like the one we offer through TinyBeans are gaining ground for their privacy and security features. Our app offers parents a private space to share photos, milestones, and other moments with their children among family and friends in a private social network.

 

 

Find out everything from how old you have to be to have a YouTube Channel to how to create a YouTube channel and why screen time limits are still important

Does your kid obsess over YouTube gamers and videos like they’re the only thing on a screen worth watching? It’s only a matter of time before they want to know how to create a YouTube channel themselves. But what does that mean, exactly? More importantly, is it OK? The answer, says Common Sense Media, is mostly yes—as long as parents keep a watchful eye over their kids’ online endeavors and follow a few basic guidelines to help safeguard their kids’ privacy. Here’s everything you need to know about how to create a YouTube channel for kids.

Why the Obsession with YouTube?

It may seem foreign to parents, but making a YouTube video isn’t all that much different from wanting to stage a talent show for friends and family; it’s just the audience that’s bigger.

“Even though you may have concerns about the risks of broadcasting on the web—and they are legitimate,” says this article from Common Sense Media, “your kid may see it as a way of expressing herself, learning digital video skills, sharing with friends and experimenting creatively. It’s important to balance your concerns with the benefits she can reap.”

“With your guidance and support, she can do it safely, and it might be a fun project that may be useful down the road. In fact, more and more kids are using their online channels—whether it’s a Tumblr blog, an Instagram photo collection, or a Snapchat story—as digital portfolios to showcase their work to employers, colleges, and potential collaborators.”

At What Age Can You Start a YouTube Channel?

two kids learning about how to create a YouTube channel
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Officially, YouTube forbids children under the age of 13 from creating their own accounts, and children between ages 13 and 17 are only allowed to open accounts with parental permission. Of course, these rules don't say anything about parents opening an account for their child; this is allowed. Ryan, the eight-year-old star of Ryan's World, is one of YouTube's biggest stars, with over 24 million subscribers tuning in to watch him play and review toys, do science experiments, and more. It's no paltry gig—Ryan earned a reported $24 million in 2019, which includes revenue from not only his YouTube Channel but also his line of toys that can be found at big box stores everywhere. 

"Ryan was watching a lot of toy review channels—some of his favorites are TheTubeFamily and Hulyan Maya—because they used to make a lot of videos about Thomas the Tank Engine, and Ryan was super into Thomas,” his mother said in an interview with TubeFilter. "One day, he asked me, 'How come I’m not on YouTube when all the other kids are?’ So we just decided—yeah, we can do that. Then, we took him to the store to get his very first toy—I think it was a LEGO train set—and it all started from there.”

How to Make a YouTube Channel for Kids

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1. Create a Gmail account for your child if they are under 13 years old. This will give them a YouTube account but not a YouTube channel.

2. Create a YouTube Channel by clicking "Select My Channel" on the sidebar on the left of the YouTube homepage. This is where users can select the name to be associated with their YouTube channel. For kids, do not use their real/whole names since these names will be broadcast to anyone watching the videos.

3. Set the privacy settings so that everything is private or unlisted. Private means that only those you invite to view the channel can watch the videos; unlisted means only those with the particular video links can see them. Also, turn off comments so your kid won't have to read unkind or inappropriate remarks from other users. Note: These privacy settings mean that only friends and family can view your child's page, which is great when it comes to keeping them safe; not so great if they're trying to build a following.

For more details on creating a YouTube channel, click here. For points to consider before doing it, click here

Tips for Keeping Kids Safe Online

tween girl on phone late at night
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Edit for Privacy Purposes
Since putting up videos on YouTube essentially allows anyone (depending on your channel's privacy settings) to see and hear your child, parents must keep a close eye on what their kids are doing to make sure they aren't accidentally revealing any personal information. We recommend that you don't allow your children to show their faces in their videos. This means OK to narrating Minecraft games, sporting events and stop-motion animation shows, and yes to a stuffed animal or puppet performances where they do the voices.

Also, YouTube has new safety measures when it comes to kids. Parents will be able to create a supervised Google account, which will come with content settings and limited features. You can see all the details here

Be Their #1 Viewer
Be sure to watch all of the videos your child posts. This can be tedious, but you have to make sure your kids aren't accidentally revealing any personal information (where they go to school, where they live, etc.).

Put Limits on Recording Time   
Like any other screen time activity, it's best to limit your child's recording sessions to 30-60 minutes. 

Make Videos with Them
It can be a fun family activity if you help your kids make a video to publish online. They'll love getting YouTube time, and you'll love being able to add some grown-up finesse to the project. Here's our step-by-step tutorial that'll give you all the details, plus the best gadgets to buy. 

 

 

 

Still figuring out what to do this summer? A family vacation is almost guaranteed to be a success if you stay at a place with a pool. We scoured the listings of Airbnbs near NYC for vacation rentals with their own place to cool off. From the Hamptons to Woodstock, the Berkshires to Philly to upstate New York, these are Airbnb rentals we think will make a big splash with the kids. Like what you see? Book now! These places are getting booked faster than you can say “Everybody into the pool!”

Magical Chalet | Woodstock, NY

This deluxe Catskills getaway, tucked away on nine private acres offers incredible views. The solar-heated pool is surrounded by plenty of seating options and a gas grill. Inside, you'll find two working fireplaces, a game room and cathedral ceiling. The charming town of Woodstock is just three minutes away when you're ready to shop or eat out. 

Sleeps: 8
Cost: $550/night
Onlineairbnb.com

French Country Estate | Great Barrington, MA

Airbnb

Live the refined lifestyle at "Manor Lane", a private estate in the Berkshires. In addition to the pool, you'll find tennis courts, a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen and even a "Guaguin bar." 

Sleeps: 12
Cost: $1750/night
Online: airbnb.com

Antique Stone House | Kingston, NY

Airbnb

This house, just 90 minutes from NYC is on the National Register of Historic places! Guests stay in an attached guest house with a patio and have access to the lovely gardens, pool and a hot tub. 

Sleeps: 4
Cost: $175/night
Online: airbnb.com

Family-friendly Gem with Rooftop | Philadelphia

Airbnb

This spot in Philadelphia is the perfect home base for your adventures. It features a roof deck for when you just want to relax and washer/dryer for when your toddler dumps grape juice on himself. Find all our favorite things to do in Philadelphia here

Sleeps: 6
Cost: $368/night
Online:
airbnb.com

Restored Milk Barn | Bethel, CT

Airbnb

Escape to Fairfield County and stay in this lovely cottage with pool. You'll love having the ping pong table in the basement for the kids, and local attractions such as state parks and the Quassy Amusement and Waterpark will keep you busy.  

Sleeps: 6
Cost: $460/night
Online: airbnb.com

Secluded Retreat | Shelter Island

Airbnb

Escape pretty much everything at this quiet two-acre property on an Shelter Island. In addition to a private pool and hot tub, this place has a grill and patio, expansive lawns and a screened-in porch. It's also near beaches and a nature preserve. 

Sleeps: 6
Cost: $700/night
Online: airbnb.com

Bayside Home | Cape May, NJ

Airbnb

This is a brand new house steps from Delaware Bay and a private beach. The pool, which is shared, is a few blocks away, but there are only so many places left to book in Cape May, so hop to it!

Sleeps: 9
Cost: $798/night
Online: airbnb.com

 

RELATED STORIES
Fresh Air Fun: The Best Day Trips from NYC for Kids
National & State Parks Near NYC That Kids Love (& Amazing Places to Stay Nearby)
Get Outta Town: Our Favorite NYC Area Airbnbs for Families

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Six Smart Tech Tips for Families

Being a kid has changed a lot since we were younger—especially when it comes to toys! Ever-changing technology can be a lot to keep up with as a parent, but fortunately there are some tips and tricks that apply to any sort of tech device—whether they’re navigating the world with their own smartwatch, jamming out on a karaoke machine or playing games online. Keep reading to find six of our favorite tech tips for families:

1. Taking photos can be a fun creative outlet for kids, but it’s important to keep other people’s privacy in mind. Teach your aspiring photographer or videographer to always ask permission before taking a picture or video of someone.

2. Kids will be more receptive to boundaries before they have their new toy in hand. Before anything comes out of the box, establish your family’s rules for any tech items, like screentime limits, how sharing will work and what volume levels are appropriate for playing music.

3. To keep an open dialogue around kids’ tech, regularly ask your kids questions about their devices. “What are your favorite games?” is a great way to start!

4. Tech devices are even more fun with friends! Just like you would with any other game or toy, talk to your kids about how to take turns or how to use their devices together—everyone loves a duet! P.S. When your aspiring performer is looking for a creative outlet, the Tobi 2 Interactive Karaoke Machine checks all the boxes with fun tunes, wireless Bluetooth® technology and an interactive light show.

5. We can all get swept up in an exciting moment. When your aspiring photographer is taking photos, remind them they first need to stay safe and be aware of other people and objects around them!

6. Now that your kids have their cool tech, make sure they can keep it. Talk to your kids about how they need to take care of their tech—keeping their favorite devices in a safe, dry space will help them last longer and avoid them getting lost!

If you’re like us, keeping your family’s online privacy intact is top of mind. Thanks to recent changes with Google, you can now remove a photo of your child if it pops up in Google Image Search. Thomas Germain and Consumer Reports shared some helpful how-to info to make that request.

First, visit this help page and hit “Start Removal Request.” That will lead you to a form that asks for more details, including the name of the child, your name if you’re making the request for the child, the search terms you used and information about the image itself.

Add a screenshot of the image to expedite the process and you’ll also want to include the URL for the image. To find that, click the image in your original search results and then click the icon with the three stacked dots in the top right. Tap “Share” and you’ll see a button you can click to copy the URL.

Once you’ve submitted your request, you’ll get a notification from Google when the image comes down. The only exceptions are situations where there’s a “compelling public interest” to keep the image up, or if it’s newsworthy. Keep in mind that this doesn’t remove the image from the entire Internet, but people are much less likely to find it if it’s not on Google.

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Thom Holmes, Unsplash

 

RELATED STORIES

Apple Just Unveiled New Privacy Features for Kids

Worried About Privacy From Amazon’s Alexa? These Easy Settings Will Ease Your Mind

Instagram Just Announced New Features to Majorly Upgrade Privacy for Teens

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I should have known. Nearly two years into our “new normal” of canceled outings and curbed activities, I launched my son from the relative safety of the pandemic womb into—of all places—an indoor water park.

He loved the water park (thankfully). But the moment we got home, Alex quickly retreated to his room, desperate for reprieve. Dropping his backpack at the front door, he raced upstairs, grabbed a book, and curled himself into his “sensory swing,” his long body folded into the fabric sack like a baby kangaroo nestled inside its mama’s pouch. 

It was his way of taking a deep breath. And it worked: what may have turned into a tantrum in his younger years ended with peace and quiet. The water park endeavor was a success.

Full disclosure: we are a family of acronyms. Between my two boys, we’ve got ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), DMDD (Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder), OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, CTD (Chronic Tic Disorder), GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), SAD (the woefully ironic initials for Social Anxiety Disorder), and ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder). For that last one, here’s a piece I wrote about what it’s like to parent a child with “chronic aggression.”

The labels have come and gone, depending on who’s doing the diagnosing. But whether or not the titles tell a clear story, one thing is consistent: both of my boys have trouble regulating their emotions. As Mama Bear, I’ve done what I can to help—from finding various therapists to amassing an arsenal of physical tools to help my kids relax. That swing, for one, works wonders.

But that’s not all. There’s an abundance of gear out there designed to give revved-up kids a place to regulate (whether they’ve got a label or not). Here’s what’s worked for us—and some expert opinions on why.

Sensory Compression Sheet for Anxious Kids

How to Calm Anxious Kids
Harkla

My middle son with anxiety loves the feeling of a compression sheet, which wraps all the way around the mattress like a tight sleeve. Before using it, his restless nights would mean he’d wake up sheetless, his bedding kicked off and crumpled on the floor. Now, he can’t even kick his sheets off the bed if he tried.

And it's a good thing, says Casey Ames, the founder of Harkla, a company dedicated to making products for neurodiverse families. Ames said improving sleep Is one of the most important things a sensory product can do. “I think the feedback we get for the compression sheet or weighted blanket makes me the happiest, since improving sleep is such a big win for families,” Ames says. “It not only helps the child, but oftentimes parents can get back to sleeping normally after years of interrupted sleep.”

Good to Know: it’s a bit of a pain to get on and off the mattress (if you've ever worn compression socks, you get it). Still, seeing my restless boy snuggle happily beneath his covers at night makes it all worth it. 

To buy: Harkla Compression Sheet, $35

Indoor Sensory Swing for Anxious Kids

How to Calm Anxious Kids
Harkla

This one is the golden ticket for us: the go-to for my oldest son, in particular, when he needs to decompress. Experts say it’s not just neurodiverse kids who can benefit from the sensory swing’s tight “hug.” These sorts of swings—which are usually made of stretchy fabric that wraps around the body like a womb—can help all kids. “Think of babies when they’re distressed and crying, what do we do? We swaddle them or swing them,” says Los Angeles pediatric neurologist Pantea Hannauer. “Sensory swings do the same thing. They give that needed sensory input.” 

Note: Make sure you have enough space around the swing. Therapeutic or not, it's still a swing, and if my kids are any indication, it will be swung as high as possible. 

To buy: Harkla Indoor Sensory Swing, $100

Bean Bags for Kids

Best Products for Calming Anxious Kids
Yogibo

Bean bags are a must for all sensory-seeking kids (and arguably any kid). Whether your child needs something to smash into while diving from the couch or a snuggly spot for sitting with a book, bean bags give neurodiverse kids reprieve while giving neurotypical kids a cozy space to curl up. 

“It’s beneficial for kids to have a place with furniture that they can use to calm down and recharge their batteries, enhance calmness, or provide an outlet to prevent boredom,” says Eyal Levy, the founder of Yogibo, a sensory-friendly furniture company that specializes in zero-pressure-point bean bags. “It's great for pushing, pulling, crashing, or jumping into to provide deep pressure input—these help to regulate kids’ moods and give them a sense of calm and peace. 

We've tried a few but especially love the Yogibo Max, a humongous, oblong-shaped bean bag with so many tiny foam beans inside that it conforms to your body as you sink into it. At nearly $300, it’s a splurge, for sure. But it’s durable (you can change the covers when they get dirty), super-comfy, lightweight, and big enough to use as a bed when the kids want sleepovers. 

To buy: Yogibo Max, $269

Noise-Reduction Headphones for Kids

Best Products for Calming Anxious Kids
Amazon

We discovered how much my oldest son needed these when, at 8 years old, he was completely overwhelmed by Disneyland’s Cars ride. It wasn’t the motion, he said; it was the noise. It was just. So. Loud. The next time, he wore these headphones, and the experience was way better. He also wears them to movies (or at our noisy dinner table) when he needs a buffer between him and the sounds. They also work great for keeping things quiet while doing homework. He's 12 now, so we’re looking into noise-canceling earbuds like these, which will be more discreet in public. 

To buy: Alpine Hearing Protection Headphones, $30

To buy: dBud Earbuds, $59

 

Chewable Pencil Toppers for Anxious Kids

Best Products for Calming Anxious Kids
Amazon

When our family goes out to dinner, we can always tell which cup my middle son has been using because it’s always the one with the straw that’s been chewed almost to the point it doesn’t work as a straw anymore. He does it with his pencils and pens, too. In fact, one time he turned to me, mid-homework, with black ink all over his mouth; he had actually chewed a pen so hard it cracked. 

Enter these chewable pencil toppers, which let him nibble away when he feels the need. We've tried these chew necklaces, too, but he doesn't like to use them in school because he doesn't like how they look. The pencil toppers are discreet, and he can chomp away. 

To buy: Chewable Pencil Toppers, $8 for three 

Bed Tents for Kids

Best Products for Calming Anxious Kids
Privacy Pop

Bed tents are the best. Not only do they look super cool, they're also great for littles with sensory processing disorder, ADHD, or autism because they can help those kids relax without actually being in a formal "therapeutic" device. We originally got them to give my boys privacy when they shared a room, but they enjoyed them even when they were alone. 

“Bed tents are actually creating some sensory deprivation, which makes some kids feel more cozy and safe,” Hannauer says. “It deprives them of sensory input so they're actually doing the appropriate steps for sleep hygiene.” In other words, kids will be having fun chilling in their tent, but really they’re in their beds… getting sleepy. 

To buy: Privacy Pop Bed Tent, $105

Weighted Blankets for Kids

Best Products for Calming Anxious Kids
Luna

When famed autistic scientist Temple Grandin invented the "hug machine" as a teen, she was basically looking for a way to give herself a hug—to get that deep, all-encompassing pressure—without actually needing to hug another person (which can be hard for some kids on the spectrum). Of course, Grandin's hug machine was the size of a large bathtub, so not realistic for most families. Weighted blankets, on the other hand, are easy and offer a similar sort of deep-pressure "hug."

"I'm a big fan of weighted blankets," says Hannauer, who treats mainly children with ADHD and autism at her Los Angeles office. "These are sensory interventions that provide deep-pressure sensory input. Basically, the more calm you are, the less sensitive."

To buy: Luna Weighted Kid's Blanket, $40

 

Sensory Sacks & Body Socks for Anxious Kids

Best Products for Calming Anxious Kids
Mia E.

My kids look ridiculous when they climb into these faceless, zipped-up sacks (think Blue Man meets The Mummy), but I can tell they're getting something out of it because they'll go in one way (angry and frustrated) and come out another (calm and happy). Experts say it's the deep pressure they're getting from all sides—similar to how swaddling a baby works—that helps ease the anxiousness. Note: the picture above is my actual child in his sensory sack.

To buy: Harkla Body Sock, $41

Flex-Space Balance Ball Seats for Restless Kids

Best Products for Calming Anxious Kids
Lakeshore Learning

We’ve gone through three chairs with my middle son, who has a tendency to perch precariously on the edges of a chair as if the center of the seat is too hot to rest his tush on. He also likes to move, often rocking the chair on one leg, a habit that eventually popped the springs of two dining room chairs, sagged the wicker of a kitchen chair, and thoroughly scratched the hardwood floor. 

These balance ball seats solve this problem. They’re basically yoga balls with legs—and they work great for kids who need to move while they’re working. They're also super-durable and can't be broken with an aggressive bounce or sway, though my son probably does look a bit silly on Zoom calls, his body bouncing in and out of the screen. But they work. My 10-year-old gets his wiggles out, and he gets his work done. Bonus points for the exercise. 

To buy: Lakeshore Learning, $20

Chewing Gum for Anxious Kids

Best Products for Calming Anxious Kids
via Unsplash

This was the most surprising life hack of all. Apparently, chewing gum is good for you! According to a mental health study, chewing gum can ease anxiety, fight fatigue, and boost moods. A 2009 study also showed that chewing gum reduces stress, specifically for kids with ADHD, which makes it a great tool to use during homework or school time. For us, it helps ease my kids' motor tics, which means it's probably helping them de-stress as well. 

Children learn through their senses—and oral activity can be very calming. According to experts, the act of chewing gum also provides constant sensory input to the muscles in the jaw and ears, which can help children to concentrate better. Of course, not all schools are cool with gum-chewing, so if you want your fidgety kid to use gum to focus, you may need to talk it over with the teacher first. 

Mia E.; author and kid’s names have been changed to protect their privacy.

TikTok has announced new changes to its platform that will help keep teens safe while still being able to create fun and engaging content. The video app’s recent update is specifically geared towards 13-17 year olds and builds on existing protective features.

Over the next few months, the changes will begin rolling out and include changes to Direct Messaging privacy settings, viewing and downloading options and push notifications. Keep reading to see all the specifics.


When a 16 or 17-year-old joins TikTok, Direct Messaging defaults will be set so that ‘No One’ is automatic. Users will need to actively switch to a different sharing option in order to be able to use the feature. All existing teens in this age group will receive a prompt to review their settings.

When it comes to sharing videos, users under 16 making their first video will now see a pop-up which tells them to choose who can watch the video. On each subsquent video, they can continue to decide who is able to watch before posting.

TikTok is also adding options for who can download your teen’s videos via pop-up question. Sixteen to 17-year-olds will have the option to turn the feature on or off, while anyone under the age of 16 will continue to have downloads disabled. 

Push notifications will be disabled for 13 to 15-year-olds starting at 9 p.m., and 16-17 will have push notifications starting at 10 p.m. These changes are in line with TikTok’s goal of fostering healthy digital habits from a young age. You can see even more about these new changes over on TikTok.

––Karly Wood

Instagram continues to be a behemoth in the world of social media, with more than a billion unique visitors on a monthly basis. Teens and pre-teens use the site to share photos and memes, private message and follow brands, but the platform has its share of pitfalls. Today Instagram announced changes to the platform that include defaulting young people into private accounts and making it harder for suspicious accounts to find young people.

“Young people” are defined as 16 and younger in the U.S. In a statement, Instagram said “Wherever we can, we want to stop young people from hearing from adults they don’t know, or that they don’t want to hear from.” The biggest preventative step will be defaulting this audience into a private account as they join the platform, instead of a public account.

That step allows users to control who sees or responds to content. With a private account, people have to follow you to see your content and you approve those followers manually. Even more critically, private account content does not show up in places like Explore or in the hashtag search section. Instagram notes that new users can still choose to have a public account and teens who are already signed up will see a notification explaining the benefits of a private account.

Instagram has also developed new technology to track accounts with “potentially suspicious behavior.” These accounts belong to adults that may have been blocked or reported by a young person. This feature means accounts that exhibit this behavior won’t be able to follow or comment on young people’s accounts.  The technology is currently rolling out worldwide and isn’t perfect, but it’s another move by the platform to support online safety.

Finally, Instagram is limiting how advertisers can interact with its younger audience. The upcoming change means advertisers can only target ads to teens based on age, gender and location. Previously, ads could also target teens on interests, or on activity on other apps and websites. This change was based on conversations with youth advocates and will affect Facebook and Messenger, too.

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Gaelle Marcel, Unsplash

 

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