Social Media And Your Child: A Guide To Protecting Against Online Risks. Table of Contents Introduction General Actionable Strategies for Parents Platform-Specific Parental Controls 3.1. TikTok 3.2. Facebook and Messenger Kids 3.3. Instagram and Meta Family Centre 3.4. Snapchat, WhatsApp Group Chats, and Pinterest The Dangers of Unprotected Social Media Use Conclusion and Key Findings 1. Introduction Social media is an integral part of modern life for children and teenagers, offering both opportunities and risks. Statistics indicate that 81% of U.S. teens use social media—with 71% engaging on multiple platforms—making it nearly unavoidable in today's digital landscape. However, parental concerns about its impact on mental health, safety, and overall well-being have never been more pronounced. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy notes that "there is growing evidence that social media use is associated with harm to young people's mental health". Changes in legislative p...