Social Media Use And Safety
According to a landmark report released by Common Sense Media, teenagers (ages 13-18) use an average of nine hours of entertainment media per day, and tweens (ages 8-12) use an average of six hours a day, not including time spent using media for school or homework. There are many good things about social media; however, there are also many risks and things kids and teens should avoid. Children and teens don't always make good choices when posting to social media, leading to problems. So, it's crucial to talk with your kids about using social media wisely.
Social media can help kids stay connected with friends and family, meet and interact with others who share similar interests, and enhance their creativity by sharing ideas, music, and art. However, there is a bad side to social media for children; social media can be a hub for cyberbullying and child predators. Without meaning to, kids can share more online than they should. Most teens post photos of themselves online or use their real names on their profiles, reveal birthdates, post their school’s name and the town where they live. This can make them easy targets for online predators and others who might mean them harm. Besides problems like cyberbullying and online predators, kids also can face the possibility of a physical encounter with the wrong person. Many newer apps automatically reveal the poster's location when they're used, which can tell anyone exactly where to find the person using the app.
Photos, videos, and comments made online usually can't be taken back once they're posted. Even when a teen thinks something has been deleted, it can be impossible to erase it from the Internet completely. Posting an inappropriate photo can damage a reputation and cause problems years later, such as when a potential employer or college admissions officer does a background check. And sending a mean-spirited text, even as a joke, can be exceedingly hurtful to someone else and even taken as a threat. Spending too much time on social media can be a downer too. Seeing how many "friends" others have and the pictures of them having fun can make kids feel bad about themselves or like they don't measure up to their peers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and Kids Health has laid out some handy tips for children and social media.
It's important to be aware of what your kids do online however snooping can alienate them and damage the trust you've built together. The key is to stay involved in a way that makes your kids understand that you respect their privacy but want to make sure they're safe.
Tell your kids that it's important to:
Be nice. Use kind words and think before you hit enter.
Think twice before hitting "enter." Remind teens posts can't be taken back once they're posted
Use privacy settings. Privacy settings are important. Go through them together to make sure your kids understand each one.
Protect passwords. Passwords are there to protect against things like identity theft. They should never share them with anyone, even a boyfriend, girlfriend, or best friend.
Don't "friend" strangers. "If you don't know them, don't friend them." This is a plain, simple — and safe — rule of thumb.
Don't Drive and Text. The National Safety Council estimates more than 1.5 million car accidents are caused by distracted drivers using cell phones each year. And—it's against the law.