Is Social Media Social?
People by design are social beings who want or desire meaningful interaction with others. Knowing how to build meaningful relationships will result in the cultivation of healthy friendships that leads to life long relationships and even future spouses. Our kids may believe that current social media “likes and friends” will fulfill them and is the equivalent or real relationships. These questions will help you guide your children into understanding how they can develop real relationship that matter.
Table Topics
Question 1
What makes someone a true friend?
Discover
Listen for words such as loyal, trustworthy and dependable. As your child describes what a true friend is, they may name some of their current friends. Encourage them to share a story about when they were a friend to someone.
QUESTION 2
What is the best way to find friends?
DISCOVER
This question reveals the social skills your child possesses and gives you, as the parent, an opportunity to teach your child how to develop and maintain friendships. During the discussion around this question, make it a point to mention that in order to find friends it is important to first be one.
QUESTION 3
Why is social media not the best way to develop real relationships?
DISCOVER
True friendships require quality time and interaction. There is also an intimacy involved. For most of us we have hundreds of friends on social media but few would come to help us in a time of need. Ask them how many of their friends on Social Media would come help them if they asked.
Reflect
Recently a daughter of a close friend began to post personal and emotions feelings about her life on social media. As it turned out, she was in need of friends and felt that she had none. It is important to watch what our kids are posting and to talk to them about what social media platforms should be used for and why trusting friendships are important. Be intentional and help your children have friends over for dinner and face to face conversations.
