New research is throwing a lot of light on the positive things that can happen when children share, connect, and learn through the internet. As a parent to a teenager, you can help cultivate the positive side by accepting the importance of social media for children and helping them in finding ways for it to create more value to their lives. Here are a few benefits of your children being social media-savvy: It strengthens friendships. Most teens, especially the ones being homeschooled , feel that social media has helped their friendships, and makes them feel connected and social. Sense of belonging. Social media makes teens feel less lonely and isolated. In fact, children tend to become more socially skilled, partly because of the increased technology use. It offers genuine support. Whether the child is interested in an uncommon subject that is not considered "cool" by teen standards – online support can validate a marginalized child. Apart from this, teens ...