Madam – In the age of social media, I think it’s important to preserve memories, because time is so fleeting.
However, I do think people – especially parents – need to be careful about what they post and how much information is actually going out in the public area.
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I have read and witnessed too many incidents where teens are being targeted and people just are not careful enough about the information they are giving, not just to people they know, but also to a web full of strangers, many of whom may not have the best of intentions.
If parents allow their children to have social media accounts, they need to keep the following in mind:
– Make sure your children know the ground rules, like not using social media at school or late at night.
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– Ask your children to be open and honest with you, even if they may have done something wrong. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
– If there is enough trust, ask your children to give you access to their accounts, in case of emergencies.
– Try to monitor who your children are talking to. This way, there will be less of a threat that the cute boy/girl they think they’re getting to know, is not actually a middle-aged predator.
– With regard to photos, do your research on the laws of social media to see what is not appropriate to post. While teens may think posting half-naked photos seems cool, this could have damaging long-term effects and open them up to cyber-bullying and body shaming.
– Make time to communicate about the dangers of social media with your child, and ensure they know they can turn to you if ever they need help.
Social media is a beautiful thing, if used properly. Have fun with it, and use it for the purpose its intended. Be safe this holiday season!
Jane
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