Family-Centered Online Safety Rules Designed With Black Youth In Mind

Dr. Rebekah Fenton, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine, recently engaged with The OBSERVER about the effects of the digital realm on today’s youth. She highlights the dual nature of social media, stressing the importance of positive messaging while equipping young individuals to discern negativity. Fenton observes that parents often feel overwhelmed by social media’s complexity, resulting in a lack of meaningful dialogue with their teens regarding online interactions. She advocates for shared experiences, likening it to families watching films together, to deepen understanding of their children's digital lives.The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes assessing how teens utilize their screen time rather than merely tracking its duration. With some teens leveraging social media for entrepreneurial endeavors, active engagement trumps passive scrolling, which is often linked to adverse mental health outcomes. For Black youth, Fenton notes increased online engagement, revealing vulnerabilities and exposure to misinformation. She urges parents to support media literacy, encouraging critical thinking regarding online content while fostering a safe environment for healthy discussions.