Social Media: Parents vs Teens

[williamjackson]

 


Social Media: Parents vs Teens

The holiday seasons are coming quickly, new high tech devices are allowing teens
to increase their Social Media connections with friends. Social Media networks like;
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, SnapChat, Youtube and others allow for
the exchange of all types of social information both positive and negative.
SM by teens are their primary means of sharing information and posting personal content.

Parents should be prepared for the increase in digital connections, Smartphones, tablets and even
watches open diverse challenges to managing personal information in which some type does not need to be share.

Wireless technologies have allowed for unprecedented access to people and data. Because of the easy access to
online resources there should always be open communication between youth/teens with their parents.
The distractions and dangers of life can quickly bring tragedy and second guessing of parental responsibilities
and accountability for young lives when there is death or injury from Cyberbullying and misunderstood intentions.

Parents cannot allow Social Media to be a baby sitter for their children
just as television should not be a substitute for parental engagement
and teaching social skills. Parents may find it difficult to start a conversation about the use of technology
and Social Media; start the conversation about the inclusion
of Social Media in a teen's life, parents should understand that their children may know more about
technology, but parent knows more about life and survival skills.

This fact alone can strengthen the conversation on safety and survival in a world of diversity in ideologies,
economic status and educational access. Social Media is a snapshot of our society, being connected to
multiple people with diverse backgrounds. There are growing numbers of youth and teens being lured and
seduced into prostitution, sexual torture and murdered from online meetups. Technology is necessary,
an important part life, the bond between families cannot afford to be disrupted by electronic devices.

Communication is in a digital arena not verbal so Social Media, texting
and digital interaction is common with teens. This interaction is not
always sexual, but the sharing of social  information can lead to
situations of personal invasion. Because of the  intrusiveness of technology parents need to set
boundaries just as they would if their child or children were at a playground or a swimming pool.
Parents need to monitor what is being shared online, some information may be dangerous or lead
to future problems in developing relationships or potential child stalkers becoming friends with unguided
and unmonitored youth and teens.

As a Teacher of the Year, STEAM educator, a national/international Blogger and presenter of Social
Media Safety, with over 25 years in public education and higher education, many teens lack the appropriate
processing skills to manage their Social Media content. What they put online can be used as a benefit
when they become adults or a hazard during the developing teen years.

A quick comment, a moment of frustration, the thrust of jealousy and a period of anger can cause teens to
post comments that have profanity, potential slanderous statements or even threats of physical or property damage.

Parents cannot afford to be negligent, ignorant or complacent in their child or children's social media activities.
"Parents need to be involved and engaged even checking phones, tablets, laptops and desktops" William Jackson 2012.
Stages of development for online behavior are a gradual process requiring parental supervision and parental
communication. Schools cannot be responsible to totally teaching technology literacy. Canada ,France, Britain and
Australia all have national media literacy standards for students in their educational curriculum; the United States because
the educational system is decentralized does not have a national model.

Parents must be the guiding force of reason and education outside of the school. Parents set the tone for Social Media
morals and ethics in Social Media conduct.

A very important reminder anything that is put online stays online and never goes away. Even if a student tries to
delete their online content it is backed-up on a server someplace and can be accessed.

Social Media: Parents vs Teens
Parents should spend more time with their kids and teens, parental involvement is important and contact
not through the Internet or cell phones. Communication is becoming a lost art between parents and
their children. Children and teens will post personal information online faster than thinking that they should
not. This presents potential dangers that are broad and can influence future safety of the family.
Talking can save your child's life or the families from Internet and the dangers that are a real and present danger.