Tweeting and posting on Facebook have become a part of life that Ohioans have come to accept.
 
A new study by Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, however, finds the vast majority of parents, 83 percent, think the benefits of social media contribute in a positive way to their children despite the risks.
 
Child psychologist Dr. Edward Christophersen says for young children, parents should be careful.
 

 
Many of the parents surveyed said children under thirteen should not be using social media.
 
Some parents are convinced that it's okay for their children, though, because "all the kids in their class do it."
Dr. Christophersen says the parents should be the ones to set the age at which they believe their child is old enough to handle social media responsibly, and even after allowing the child access, parents should monitor texts, tweets, and posts.
 
He says he understands peer pressure, but says parents need to carefully consider their children's level of maturity and says if parents need support when setting the rules, he suggests they seek expert advice.
 

 
Once your child becomes active on social media, Dr. Christophersen says it's important to monitor, monitor, monitor.
 

 
More than half of the parents surveyed were concerned about predators, bad language, and sexual harassment.
 
Nearly three-quarters of the parents felt that social media usage would help prepare their children for success in the changing digital age.