The new school year is here — and along with sports schedules and carpools comes the ever-present question:

How do we help our kids navigate electronics and social media?

You’ve likely already heard the warnings about AI, TikTok, Instagram, cyberbullying, and more. Instead of repeating the same concerns, I want to give you something more useful:

10 positive, practical social media solutions you can start using right away.

1. Set tech-free zones (dinner, bedtime) to protect family connection.

2. Co-watch or scroll together — make it a conversation, not a lecture.

3. Encourage your child to follow inspiring, creative, or educational accounts.

4. Model the habits you want to see (yes, that means your own screen time).

5. Keep passwords transparent — safety builds trust, not secrecy.

6. Teach them to pause before posting: “Would I say this face-to-face?”

7. Role-play how to handle cyberbullying or mean comments.

8. Make tech a privilege that’s earned, not a guarantee.

9. Balance every hour of scrolling with an hour of something active or creative.

10. Celebrate the positives — how social media can connect, create, and inspire.

To make conversations around these topics smoother, I’ve also included my B.E.E Method of Communication — a simple approach that helps you avoid power struggles and keep your connection strong.

🐝 The B.E.E. Method is a 3-step check-in tool for real, quick convos.

We ask our tweens to own their choices—same rules apply to us. When we lead with accountability (not blame), we model the exact courage and curiosity we want them to practice.

🐝 The B.E.E. Method in Action👇

Be Curious – Start with a question so you can understand what’s really going on.

Starter questions you can ask your tween:

• “What’s your favorite part about being on TikTok/Instagram/YouTube?”

• “When you’re scrolling, what makes you laugh the most? What stresses you out?”

Explore – Listen closely and show them you get it, even if it feels awkward. Exploring questions to dig deeper:

• “Sounds like you really like connecting with friends there — what do you think makes it fun?”

• “You mentioned people can be mean sometimes — what does that feel like for you?”

Explain What Helps – Share a fact, story, or plan that makes the next step feel easier.

• “I get why you like scrolling before bed. The tricky part is it keeps your brain awake, so let’s pick a cutoff time together.”

• “You said mean comments hurt your feelings — here’s one way I handle negativity online. Want to try that next time?”

At the end of the day, social media isn’t going anywhere — but with the right tools, your family doesn’t have to feel run over by it. These tips (and the B.E.E. Method) give you a way to lead with connection instead of conflict.

P.S. We cover these topics in our Family Social Media class.

Our Social Media & Self-Esteem Class is designed for tweens ages 10–12 and their parents. Because honestly? We all need a refresh on what’s happening in the wild world of TikTok, YouTube, and “finstas.”

Enroll today → https://www.leslie-dixon.com/self-esteem--social-media-page