I am going to be blogging some about Internet and Social Media safety for teens. I will be including lots of useful sites for parents to help you see what your kids are doing online! You can find information on my website at: https://sites.google.com/a/gaston.k12.nc.us/egoliverweb/parents/internet-social-media
The Information Super Highway, as the Internet was once called, can be a useful tool for everyone, but so often, it becomes a weapon when used inappropriately.
Even though you're not out there Tweeting, Facebooking, Kiking or Instagramming, you must admit, your kids are. That is the reality of 2014. We live in an instantaneous world where Google is a verb. I admit, I say this all the time..."Let me Google it." Then I get out my iPhone and do just that. Information is literally at the tip of my fingers.
Remember, your kids are doing the exact same thing.
Almost all of the students at Chavis have some sort of mobile device. They are just as attached to their technology as I am - most of them more.
With that in mind, we have to remember that it is our jobs to monitor that usage and make sure that our kids know the risks and dangers along with those amazing benefits.
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act limits companies from collecting personal information about kids under 13 years old. Therefore, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter all require children to be at least 13 to join. Now, we all know that there are easy ways around this and our kids are doing it whether parents know or not.
Parents should ask their children on a regular basis -
Do you have a Facebook account?
Do your friends?
Do you Tweet?
Are you posting pix on Instagram?
Are you SnapChatting?
If you choose to buy your child a cell phone, make the condition that she can't get a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account until age 13 and you approve.
It's tempting to allow an exception, but you might want to consider the message you're sending your child to allow them to break the rules by lying even if they do seem mature enough to behave safely and responsibly.
Once your child is of age and has your permission, sit down together to set up the accounts. Use all of the privacy restrictions available and do NOT give out unnecessary information like cell phone numbers or home addresses. You should also talk with your child about not posting that personal information as well.
Good Internet Safety includes NOT posting the following information:
- cell phone numbers
- home address
- location
- home phone number
- inappropriate pictures
- geotagged pictures that gives away location
Good information to tell your children:
- never "friend" anyone they do not know
- never share passwords with anyone but you
- If anything happens that makes them uncomfortable, they can tell you
- Social Rules apply online
- Once you post something online, it never really goes away
- Even if you delete something, it is still out there somewhere
- Colleges and employers check social media sites and do Google searches on applicants
Long-term consequences may not click right away with your child, but keep reinforcing it.
Spot-check your children's accounts to see what they are up to - what is she posting? Who are her friends? Who is she following?
It might be a touchy subject, but YOU ARE THE PARENT.
Monitoring what your kids are posting online is essential. Always have their passwords. If they change it, take away their access until they give you the new passwords.
Some teens who know their parents are checking on them may set up an alternate account. If you don't see much activity or many friends on her page, that might be the case. Set up a Google alert with your child's name so that if anything about her hits the Internet, you know about it immediately.
You are the best judge of your kid, but I must encourage you to not be left in the dark. Stay ahead of what your children are doing. Stay informed. Be involved. A good defense is your best option in keeping your children safe online.
