by Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC, founder of Lilley Consulting
Find Information to Protect Teens at Risk across the United States...
Social Media is both a gift and a curse to all of us, particularly to children and teens, because it connects us and furnishes us with all kinds of useful information,
but also exposes us to unsavory people and ideas. Presumably, we adults are better equiped to guarding ourselves from some of these dangers, but kids are so much more vulnerable! Internet predators are real, and we need to guard our young and not so young children from them. Just because someone is not physically in your home does not mean that the person cannot harm your child, or find his way into meeting them in person.
It is imperative that young people understand the importance of privacy in communications of all kinds, in text and in
pictures, and that parents be up-to-speed on how to best support a child or teen on safe uses of social media.
There are kids who have been bullied into suicide by social media hounding. There have been children and teens who have
been sexually abused via social media introductions. There are even murders committed that have been facilitated via social media.
Though even schools post information for kids on Facebook, keeping personal exposure to a minimum is best. In regard to social media use, less is more and in most cases, is better.
Almost daily there are new apps or platforms for social media that are being introduced, and teens are always the first to
sign up. Before you give your young person free access to download, upload, and sync anything onto their cell phone, tablet,
or laptop, be sure you are educating them on safe practices, and limiting their exposure to dangerous sites. In order to do this, you need to educate yourself on all the different social media platforms that exist.
How much do you know about Facebook? Instagram? Snapchat? Twitter? Vine? Nextdoor? MeetUp? Tik Tok? Or what about
Tinder? Bumble? OkCupid? Zoosk? Hinge? Match? Coffee meets Bagel? Happn? League? Grindr? Plenty of Fish? I'm sure
I'm already forgetting a bunch. It's hard to do, but the more you can keep your child away from these social media sites, the better off he will be. In addition to all the other dangers of social media, they present to children and adults a terrible waste of their time.
Below you will find the top 6 ways a parent can help their child be safe when using social media.
For a college student, posting you residence hall and room number or your class schedule and locations is making it easy for
anyone with access to your account to stalk you. Seriously. As best as you can, keep your personal information hidden.
If you are concerned about the amount of usage or notice a process addiction with technology use forming
(i.e. porn, video gaming, sex and love, internet gambling, hate sites, etc.), it is important that as a parent you consider
consulting
with an expert for help. There may be local resources available to you, but if not, there are professionals across the
national who can help you get your young person connected to the appropriate treatment options. Seek out a Therapeutic Educational Consultant. This is what we do, and we do know how to help.
Even if your child is a young adult, keep in mind that if you paid for his laptop, you have the right to put some
limitations for access in place. Educate your child on what is not safe for them to do, and what's not appropriate for others to do to your child. This includes teaching them how, where, and when to report harassment.