Skip to content
Positive Parenting Solutions logo
  • Meet Amy
  • Course Details
    • Course Tour
    • FAQs
  • Testimonials
  • Amy on TV
  • Pricing
    • All in One Parenting Success System
    • Quick-Fix Coaching
    • Blended Families
  • Blog
  • Member Login
  • Meet Amy
  • Course Details
    • Course Tour
    • FAQs
  • Testimonials
  • Amy on TV
  • Pricing
    • All in One Parenting Success System
    • Quick-Fix Coaching
    • Blended Families
  • Blog
  • Member Login

Social Media Is Like Driving: 5 Rules to Keep Kids Safe on Smartphones

  • Screen Time & Technology
  • digital parenting, kids and smartphones, screen time limits, social media safety, tech boundaries, technology rules for kids, teen phone use
Teens Busy on Cell Phones

A Guest Post from Laura Tierney, a Social Media expert and founder of The Social Institute

If you’re the parent of a tween or teen, you know how important smartphones have become to this generation. Like the newfound freedom of getting a driver’s license, getting a smartphone means fresh independence and more ways to connect with friends (and yes, possibly strangers).

Like driving, there are many benefits to having a smartphone, however, the consequences for misuse can be high. So, how can we coach our kids to use this powerful device safely and positively? Let’s take a cue from Driver’s Ed.

When it’s time for our kids to drive, they aren’t simply handed keys to a car after a quick lecture about the importance of seat belts and speed limits. Instead, we buckle up alongside them and start down the road together. And we don’t start on a freeway during rush-hour. We begin in the driveway, and then on back roads, and the progression continues as our kids show readiness.

Parents must do the same with social media, which is now one of the biggest drivers of a student’s social development.

When it comes to driving, parents and educators team up to empower the kids. And that’s exactly how it needs to be with social media. In our work with students, teachers, and parents, we created–with students and parents–a positive social media curriculum that empowers us to have these important conversations about social media and technology. We believe in huddling with–not helicoptering over–our kids when it comes to social media.

Here are five conversations you should have to keep kids safe on their smartphones:

1. Before Getting a License, Get a Learner’s Permit

A child is ready for their own smartphone only after they’ve proven mature use of a family device. During this learning phase, parents should keep a close eye on their tech use, and talk often about who they are engaging with, what kind of content they are consuming, and what is off limits.

2. Before Starting the Engine, Talk About the Car and What It’s Capable Of

Just like with driver’s ed, we need to teach personal tech basics. Together, we can walk through their device, making sure the privacy settings are correct and that they understand how their device works and what is possible.

3. Before Leaving the Driveway, Agree on a Route

Sign a technology contract so that everyone is aware of what’s expected of them and why when it comes to their smartphones, tablets, or computers. (Check out our Family Standards Agreement or create your own).

4. Before Hitting the Gas, Know How to Brake

Knowing when to shut off our devices is just as important as knowing when to use them. Talk about striking a balance and knowing when it’s time to use that device, and when it’s time to park it (during meals, when doing homework, during family gatherings, at least an hour before bedtime, etc).

5. Before Getting on the Freeway, Discuss the Potential for Road Rage

Things move fast at 65 miles per hour, including tempers. It’s true on social media as well. Kids need to learn and role-play how they will handle the inevitable bumps in the road.

How will they respond when a friend says something mean about someone else on a group chat?
What about getting asked for an inappropriate photo?
How can they shut down cyberbullying?

These are real scenarios that they are likely to encounter, so coach them on how to handle these road hazards ahead of time.

Final Thoughts

More freedom means more responsibility, whether driving a car or navigating social media. Buckle up alongside your child and provide small steps of independence over time, letting them know you’ll always be available to talk about any obstacle they face on the road of life.

Join Amy for a FREE CLASS

About the Author

Laura Tierney

Laura Tierney is mom to a toddler and founder of The Social Institute creators of #WinAtSocial, a pioneering new curriculum now available for K-12 schools across the country. #WinAtSocial is the first-ever gamified and positive social media curriculum, being used by schools to support their digital citizenship and social emotional learning programs. For more information or to request a demo for your school, visit www.TheSocialInstitute.com.

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

Anxiety & Emotional Wellbeing

Challenging Behaviors

Co-Parenting & Blended Families

Communication & Connection

Discipline

Entitlement & Gratitude

Grandparents & Boundaries

Holidays & Special Occasions

Homework & School Success

Motivation & Responsibility

Parenting as a Team

Picky Eating & Mealtime Struggles

Recommended by Amy

Routines & Structure

Screen Time & Technology

Sibling Relationships

Sportsmanship & Competition

Travel & Outings With Kids

Tweens & Teens

Free Parenting Tips for a Happier, Easier Home

Get expert-backed strategies to reduce stress, gain cooperation, and feel more confident as a parent. Sign up for our weekly newsletter and start creating the peaceful, connected family life you want—one tip at a time!

What You Should Do Next:

1.

Get Quick, Actionable Parenting Tips—Straight to Your Inbox!

Make parenting easier with expert tips that help you create a happier, more cooperative home—delivered right to your inbox. Plus, as a welcome gift, I’ll send you “10 Tips for Better Behavior – Starting NOW!” so you can see results right away.

[SIGN UP & GET YOUR FREE GUIDE!]

2.

Free Class: How to Get Kids to Listen —Without Nagging or Yelling!

Struggling to get your kids to listen the first time? In this free, on-demand class, I’ll teach you simple, effective strategies to end power struggles, gain cooperation, and feel more in control—without resorting to nagging or yelling. Choose a time that works for you!

[SAVE YOUR SPOT NOW!]

3.

Transform Your Family with the All-In-One Parenting Success System​

Discover the proven system that has helped hundreds of thousands of parents raise respectful, responsible, and happy kids. With 37+ powerful tools—plus expert coaching and a supportive community—you’ll have everything you need to create the family life you’ve always dreamed of.

[GET STARTED TODAY!]

FOLLOW AMY ON SOCIAL

Follow along for quick wins, real-life tips, and parenting breakthroughs!

Instagram Facebook
PrevPrevious
NextNext
Share this Post:
Positive Parenting Solutions logo
REAL PARENT REVIEWS
Facebook Instagram

company

  • Meet Amy
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Refunds/Cancellations
  • Privacy Policy
  • Mobile App Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Return Policy
  • Email Allow List Instructions
  • Affiliate Program
  • Affiliate Terms and Conditions
  • Meet Amy
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Refunds/Cancellations
  • Privacy Policy
  • Mobile App Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Return Policy
  • Email Allow List Instructions
  • Affiliate Program
  • Affiliate Terms and Conditions

Corporations/ Organizations

  • Parenting Training For Your Employees
  • Hire Amy To Speak To Your Organization
  • Parenting Training For Your Employees
  • Hire Amy To Speak To Your Organization

Parents

  • FREE Parenting Training
  • Newsletter
  • Blog
  • Personal Coaching
  • FREE Parenting Training
  • Newsletter
  • Blog
  • Personal Coaching

What We Do

  • Course Tour
  • Pricing & Purchase
  • Course Tour
  • Pricing & Purchase

Media

  • Amy’s TV Clips
  • Amy’s TV Clips
Copyright 2004 – 2025 Positive Parenting Solutions. All rights reserved.

Positive Parenting Solutions, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com