Keeping Kids Safe on Social Media

Keeping their children safe on social media is the primary concern for most parents when discussing the internet. And they have every right to be worried, the internet can be quite terrifying. The following article lists 6 helpful tips for parents to keep their child safe.  https://mashable.com/2014/09/21/social-media-safety-kids/

Safety Is Important

In today’s time, the internet and social media are everywhere. It is completely accessible to everyone which means that the worst type of content and people have the opportunity to poison the minds of young ones. It is very easy to discuss the benefits that comes with social media and ignore any safety issues. Many people often like to sweep these issues under the rug, stating that social media companies are taking great responsibility in monitoring  their content and providing helpful privacy options which eliminates dangerous activities. While I am extremely pleased with the safety measures Facebook, and other social media organizations have taken, I am convinced that safety begins and ends with the parents/guardian of children. It is still a very important lesson to teach. 

Learning about the dangers

My favorite tip that the article mentions is tip 3. Talk to your kids about the dangers and consequences of social media. This is a simple yet vital task that must not be overlooked. The only way a child can understand how dangerous social media can be is if you tell them. You definitely don’t want to scare your child, but it should be made clear to them that bad people are on the internet and that they can learn a lot of information about them based on what they post. Stories and examples are also helpful when explaining this. Also remember not to gloss over cyberbullying and fake news. Remind your kids to report hurtful comments and to not believe everything they read.  

Safety is for Adults too 

Lastly, safety is not just for children and teens. Adults need to take all the same precautions and preventive measures. According to an article written by Matt Tatham, adults between the ages of 55-64 are more likely to fall victim to dangerous romance scams. And adults between the ages of  35-44 often fall victim to purchase scams. So make sure that you follow the same advice you give your children. Always check your privacy settings, always be suspicious when sending money, and realize that anyone has the potential to view what you’ve posted. You can view the mentioned article and more information here: https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/you-may-be-surprised-whos-getting-scammed-the-most/.