An old [public service announcement](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPR9bIl3VZw) that was broadcast prior to late-night news programs once posed a straightforward question to parents: “It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?”

In our current digital landscape, a more pertinent inquiry might be: “It’s 10 p.m. Are you aware of what your children are viewing online?”

Many parents may have come to terms with being unable to answer this question, even while recognizing that online videos can expose adolescents to unsuitable material like bullying, self-harm, eating disorders, and pornography.

However, monitoring or keeping track of what teens watch is quite challenging. Teens can stream videos from nearly anywhere — whether it’s [YouTube](https://mashable.com/category/youtube), [TikTok](https://mashable.com/category/tiktok), or even channels approved by parents like [Disney+](https://mashable.com/category/disney-plus). Moreover, using software to identify certain types of content on their devices doesn’t stop them from viewing inappropriate videos on a friend’s smartphone.

To assist parents in tackling this issue, the American Psychological Association (APA) has unveiled a fresh set of guidelines designed to foster healthy video consumption habits among teens.

These recommendations offer insights into spotting detrimental viewing patterns and underscore significant issues, including content that encourages violence or risky behavior, the sway of online figures, and the perils of AI-generated videos.

Dr. Mitch Prinstein, a co-author of the guidelines and the chief science officer at the APA, insists that the duty of shielding teens from harmful content shouldn’t fall exclusively on parents. The guidelines also urge policymakers and video platforms to take steps toward creating safer spaces for young viewers.

For now, here are some tactics for parents aiming to guide their teens toward healthier viewing behaviors while waiting for wider reforms:

### 1. Co-view video content with your teen.
Prinstein advises that parents should attempt to watch videos alongside their teens whenever feasible. This can range from family films and television programs to content from their favorite influencers or bite-sized videos on platforms like TikTok and YouTube.

While it might seem overwhelming, parents don’t need to commit to viewing every piece of content. Instead, focus on watching what you can and engage your teen in conversations about their likes or dislikes regarding the material.

These open-ended discussions empower teens to critically analyze their viewing choices and allow parents to convey their own values without coming across as overly critical. For instance, a parent could highlight how a cherished film from their past might not resonate with contemporary views on gender equality.

Prinstein stresses that if parents observe troublesome content with their teens but don’t address it, teens might see that as acceptance. “It’s essential to speak up and say, ‘That could have been funny in the ’80s, but we don’t see it that way today,'” he remarks.

### 2. Familiarize yourself with your teen’s interests and favorite influencers.
Prinstein suggests that parents should frequently inquire about what their teens are watching online. This is particularly crucial when hearing about popular programs, like the animated YouTube series *[Skibidi Toilet](https://Skibidi%20Toiliet)*, or concerning trends such as “[looksmaxxing](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/06/style/looksmaxxing-tik-tok-dillon-latham.html),” which may endorse harmful body care practices.

If your teen follows certain content, engage them with questions regarding what captivates them or makes them laugh. Even if they’re unfamiliar with specific trends, parents can still solicit their views on various topics.

As influencers significantly impact teens, it’s vital for parents to keep track of who their teens are following. This can be as easy as writing down influencer names and researching them online.

If an influencer promotes negative behaviors, parents should contemplate restricting their teen’s access to that material. Conversely, parents can motivate teens to follow influencers who share constructive messages, such as advocating against bullying or promoting body positivity.

### 3. Establish clear boundaries.
The APA guidelines don’t advocate for restricting video viewing to a certain number of minutes or hours daily. Instead, they recommend observing signs of distracted behavior, loneliness, or excessive viewing that disrupts sleep or other vital activities.

Prinstein highlights that even small interruptions, such as video watching hindering a teen from completing chores, could warrant the setting of new limits.

Parents should also remain cognizant of the advertisements teens encounter on video platforms, which may promote unsuitable or unsafe products. Additionally, the emergence of AI-generated content, including [explicit deepfake](https://mashable.com/article/is-it-illegal-to-make-a-deepfake) videos, introduces new risks that parents may not fully grasp.

It’s critical to converse with teens about the threats posed by seemingly innocuous content and to implement boundaries around engaging with such material.