Our children are surrounded by technology everywhere they go. They do work on school computers and most young adults have access to a cellphone 24/7.
It is hard to monitor everything they do on their phone. In an age where apps such as Tik Tok, Snapchat, and Twitter are an imperative part of creating a social status it can be easy to be swayed into the negative aspects of social media.
Although we cannot completely ensure that our children can be 100% safe on social media, we can give them tools to navigate social media safely. The dangers of the internet include cyberbullying and hacking, but how can we as parents keep them safe from dangers we don’t physically face?
We need to teach our children to make sure to think before they post. They need to be aware of the impact that their posts may have on their future so they do not ruin their dream careers before they begin.
Remind them to not add people that they do not know. We need to teach them about stranger danger on and off the internet. Not all new people mean well. Urge them to never send inappropriate pictures or content to people. Once they share things like this, it is on the internet and anyone with good knowledge of technology can access that content. Sharing inappropriate things can hinder their life. Also remind them to never share their address or personal information.
This information can be used by hackers to hurt your child or your family. Being aware of these dangers can save them from embarrassing moments and dangerous situations. Social media can be a helpful tool for young adults, but it has to be used with diligence in order to not have problems.
We all want our children to be successful so let’s help them do so by
teaching them about social media safety early before problems arise. For more information about our school district and topics like this please download the DSD Bobcats mobile app, available on Google play and the Apple Store.
