Having conversations with your teen about the online world can help create a sense of safety and trust. It also gives them a chance to reflect on how they use social media – what’s working, what’s not, and how they can get the positives without some of the pressure. Evidence suggests that a positive, trusting relationship between parent and child lowers the risk of harmful or unhealthy social media use. It is also important that parents are mindful of their own social media use – the way you post, scroll and talk about social media – because that also shapes the way young people learn to use it.