Jana Ina Zarella on social media
“I talk to my children about what is real and what is appearance”
© @Jana Ina / PR
Media time and dealing with social media has been an even bigger topic between parents and children since Corona. Even with Jana Ina Zarella and her family. In an interview, she tells us how she handles media time at home and introduces a new parent guide.
Dear Jana Ina, is media time a big topic of discussion for you? How do you deal with it?
We talk openly with the children at home and explain to them that we have clear rules when it comes to media time. You accept it and enjoy the agreed times. Our children are often outside and do a lot of sport – that’s a healthy balance, I think. But I still think the new Instagram function is great: starting next year, parents will be able to see how much time their teenagers spend on Instagram. In addition, a daily time limit for the children can be set in advance in the settings – I find that very helpful.
Do you have clear rules when dealing with social media and media in general?
When using social media for children, it is particularly important to me that they have a good time and that they feel supported by their own community and that the opposite is not achieved. The children should be encouraged to only concern themselves with content that is good for them and that is fun. And the other way around: If you follow an account that at some point is no longer good for you, you should unfollow it. It is also important to me that young people have a private account on Instagram so that we parents have an overview of who is following them and who can see their posts. Children should be able to defend themselves if, for example, they experience cyber bullying. If they know how to do this, for example with the help of the message function or the comment and message filter, they also feel more secure.
Due to homeschooling and the contact restrictions imposed by Corona, our children spent much more time in front of the laptop than usual. How did you cope with this stressful time?
There were clear rules there too. The children spent a lot of time in front of the computer, if only because of their homeschooling. At some point we agreed, found a good routine together and found enough time for free time but also for the media.
© @Jana Ina / PR
Many parents are overwhelmed with social media and do not know their way around. What do you advise them?
From my point of view, parents can only talk about this topic on an equal footing with their teenagers if they know and understand the platform and its functions themselves. the Parents Guide from Instagram can be a good support here: He gives parents tips for a good basis for discussions with their children and explains in great detail all the important functions and setting options to make the time on the platform safe. Otherwise, the expert organizations with whom we worked for the guide are also good places to go for further tips and tricks – on the one hand klicksafe.de, saferinternet.at or ‘Stop Hate Speech’ from Switzerland. “
As a parent, how do you manage the balancing act between trust in your own child and control, also when dealing with social media?
It is no secret that many children try to go unnoticed on social networks. What they do online they consider to be a private matter and something that is none of their parents’ business. Nevertheless, in my opinion, it is the responsibility of parents to accompany and support their children when they use social networks. For me as a mother, it is very important that I take enough time to explain to my children how they can use social media responsibly and in an age-appropriate manner.
Instagram in particular likes to give us a make-believe world. Do you have any tips on how we can protect our children from comparing themselves to false ideals?
I talk openly with my children about what is real and what is appearances or what dangers there are in the virtual world. This gives them a better understanding of why they are not allowed to surf alone everywhere or why I set apps according to their age. To reduce the pressure that teenagers may feel on social media, there is, for example, the option to hide the number of likes on your own or someone else’s posts. So you don’t have to compare yourself to others.