Frequently Asked Questions

At TDSU we believe a key to successfully teaching your child new skills is  modeling, narrating, and normalizing. By creating a shared language and shared expectations of online behavior you are laying the groundwork for future conversations. It is also important to know what your child is ready to handle. That’s why we suggest you pay attention to developmental signs of readiness as well as have conversations about what they are interested in online.

Once you know your child’s interests and desires, you can consider where they are developmentally in order to determine the best place to start. If they are not yet demonstrating some of the key social and emotional developmental capacities of a tween – like impulse control, perspective taking, introspection, or the ability to delay gratification – but are eager to engage online, you might want to start out with our Text With Your Child activity. This is a safe and effective way to Model responsible practices. 

If your child is starting to show signs of developmental maturity, and they are expressing an interest in interacting online, then maybe you and your child are ready to practice the Thumbs Down skills with you or a trusted community by using our activity: Build Your Trusted Team!

It is never too late for your child to learn the Thumbs Down skills, and it is never too late for you to Speak Up about them! Even though your child has some experience interacting online, the TDSU approach can give you the confidence that your child has the skills that they need to be safe and responsible. 

There’s not just one way to get started. At TDSU we provide a range of engaging activities and tips that are regularly updated. You know your child best. Maybe they are the kind of kid who would love to be involved in this process. If so, try out our Build a Trusted Team activity. Or maybe your child doesn’t want to hear about TDSU – that’s ok! You can try out our Permission Before Posting activity to model one of the skills you hope your child will learn.

This is actually the perfect time to get started with the TDSU approach! Your child is learning how to interact online through your example. Everytime you pick up a device you have an opportunity to teach.

So, start a conversation with your child about interacting online. Build A Foundation. When you pick up your device, Demystify Your Digital Life. 

The TDSU approach not only prepares your child for digital citizenery, but it also enhances the bond you already have with your child!

Learning takes practice and patience. A key component of the TDSU approach is that we provide ways for you to continue using the Speak Up methods to teach the Thumbs Down skills as your child practices with a small number of friends and family. The best way to keep up with new activities and tips is to follow us on Instagram. As your child gains proficiency in implementing the Thumbs Down skills you can consider broadening their online access or reducing your oversight. Keep in mind that they may make a mistake and need to go back to practicing in a small group setting or increasing supervision.

At TDSU we believe that parental controls are an important and necessary step in helping our children learn while staying safe. Our focus, however, is on teaching them the skills that they will need to be responsible during interactions that can still happen when controls are in place, and to eventually be independent users of social media once controls are no longer in use. There are many resources for learning about setting up parental controls and we suggest checking out Common Sense Media.

Your Trusted Team is made up of people that you and your child can count on to point out what Thumbs Down skills still need work. The focus is on supporting skill development. The people on your child’s Trusted Team understand that learning is a process during which mistakes happen. 

When your children are younger, you will work with them to choose who is on their Trusted Team. The TDSU approach grows with your child. As they get older they will come to rely on their peers to be their Trusted Team. Children who learn the TDSU skills integrate the idea that pointing out mistakes is a way to help their friends have positive and successful online interactions.