Learn About Social Media

Social media is where many young people connect, learn and express who they are, and it’s also where they can face pressure, misunderstandings, or risks that are hard to see from the outside. As a digital guardian, you don’t need to know all the apps to help your young person be safer online. Being curious and listening is what matters most.

In a nutshell

Social media refers to any website, app or game that lets people create, share or connect with others. That includes TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Discord, WhatsApp and even gaming chats or livestreams.

People can often post photos, videos, stories or comments, message each other, or watch and follow creators. For tamariki and rangatahi, it’s often their main way to stay in touch, learn, and show their identity and personality online.

Social media can be creative, social and fun, but it also relies on attention and interaction to keep people online.

5-minute whānau safety check

We’ve checked privacy and contact settings together
We’ve talked about what to do if something feels wrong online
We’ve agreed on where and when devices can be used
We follow positive accounts that make us feel good and review regularly
My child knows they can come to me, and I can contact Netsafe if needed

What to expect

Every whānau experiences social media differently, but here are a few suggestions that you might notice at home:

Rangatahi wanting to record or share their experiences
More private communication (messages, group chats, DMs)
Shifting interests (one week it’s Instagram, the next it’s TikTok)
Big emotions after online interactions, for example laughter, embarrassment, excitement or frustration.

If your child seems anxious about posts, hides their screen, stays up late scrolling, or starts comparing themselves to others, it’s a good time for a kōrero.

What's the up-side?

Social media can be positive, but there are somethings to keep an eye on.

Connection and belonging

Social media helps young people keep up with friends, share moments, and feel part of something bigger.

Creativity and expression

Many platforms let users make music videos, artwork, or short stories. Sharing these builds confidence and identity.

Learning and discovery

Social feeds expose young people to new ideas, like recipes, activism, culture, hobbies, in faster and more meaningful ways than traditional media.

Fun and downtime

Social media can be entertaining, full of jokes, memes and trends that help rangatahi relax and feel part of pop culture.

Gives me a platform to share my own thoughts and opinions which as a 15-year-old I don’t get to do often

Youth Participant

No Single Online Experience – Youth Roadshow Report 2025

What's the flip-side?

Privacy and sharing

Posts can travel quickly and reach people your child didn’t intend.

Contact from strangers

Most apps let anyone send a message or follow request.

Algorithms

Social media doesn’t just show content, it predicts what your child will enjoy or engage with, and then serves more of it.

Pressure and comparison

Likes, views and filters can affect self-esteem.

Misinformation and harmful content

Algorithms sometimes push extreme or false material.

Safety Check

Use the settings

Set accounts to private. Most apps let you limit who can follow or message
Explore reporting and blocking tools together and make sure your child knows how they work
Review app permissions and turn off location sharing and unnecessary data access
Use parental controls or Family Link to provide extra protections for younger tamariki or rangatahi who are just starting out on social media
Check age recommendations for every platform or app

Manage the algorithm

Algorithms can be countered to some degree, by taking breaks to reset patterns, and reporting or hiding content they don’t want to see more of. Ask your child if they notice their ‘For You’ or feed changing based on what they watch or like.

Encourage reflection

Ask what kinds of posts make them feel good, and which don’t. Talk about taking breaks from “perfect” and filtered content.

Consider different perspectives

Explore their feed together and talk about how to tell if a source is trustworthy, and what content might reflect biases or opinion dressed up as fact.

Top Tips

Click on each block to learn more about how you can support your whānau to find balance with screentime and screen use.

Ask what they enjoy about their favourite platforms and creators. Listening shows respect and keeps communication open.

“What makes your feed fun or interesting?”
“Who do you like following and why?”
“Have you seen anything online lately that made you think?”

Chat when you spot trends, memes or posts together and talk about social media like you would sport or homework:

“What made you laugh online today?”
“What would you do if someone tagged you in something you didn’t like?”

Small kōrero often works better than one big “safety talk.”

Spend time exploring an app together. Ask them to teach you features of the app, or try making a post or short video together. This can build trust and help you understand what they actually see.

Ask for their advice or opinion about something you've come across in your social feeds