“Friending”: the act of adding someone to a list of contacts on a social networking site. NOTE: does not necessarily involve the concept of friendship (seriously…)

By dantaylor on Flickr

By dantaylor on Flickr

The online world of “friends” ranges from people your child actually knows in real life to strangers (individuals and companies) that your child has never met and with whom they have no relationship at all!  Social media gives youth a way to connect with a broad range of individuals and test “friendships.”

Be an eParent®!  Ask your child about friending and how it works (even if you already know all about it ask and listen to your child’s perception of it).  If your child has a Facebook (or other social media) page, ask them to friend you; young teens are more open now to this than they will be later on! Be an active reader of your child’s site and if you have concerns about something you read, talk with your child off-line.

Another important stage of developing from a child into an adult is forming more mature friendships. While your child has had friends in their younger years, the teen years are when stronger bonds are made with friends who share interests, values and feelings. Young teens are testing the waters to see what peers can be trusted, who understands them and who to hang with. Your guidance and oversight of their friends (both real life and virtual) can promote healthy friendships and prevent harmful ones.

Read more about how teens network with social media.

To learn more contact UW-Extension Family Living Programs or like Family Living on Facebook.

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