What Every Parent Should Know about Social Networking
Look at the images above. Do you know the social networking sites associated with each of these icons? Chances are your children do, and are actively using them, as well as others. According to an October 2013 article on the Huffington Post, parents think they are on top of their children’s online social habits, because they also use Facebook and Twitter. However, studies show that tweens and teens are leaving these sites in favor of new apps that offer secrecy from watchful parents. These sites can offer a greater potential for cyberbullying, online harassment and other inappropriate activity, which can fly under the radar if not actively monitored.
Below are some sites that are commonly being used by WWMS students, as well as a new site widely considered to be the next big thing in social media.
Common sites being used by WWMS students:
Ask fm – This site allows users to ask other users questions, with the option of anonymity. As an example, questions like "Why are you a loser?" "Why are you ugly?" are common on the site. In other instances, students have been asked to rate other students, or openly make negative comments about their peers, mainly anonymously. It's this anonymity and non-moderated environment that causes problems for many of our students. Similar site: spillit
Instagram - is an online social networking site that allows users to take and share photos and videos on a variety of other social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Flickr. Users are also able to record and share short videos lasting for up to 15 seconds.
KiK – Through this app, users are able to text message through a screen name. Students often use this app over texting message through their phone carrier, as a way to hide messages from their parents. This is another app that has been widely associated with sexting.
Snapchat – Snapchat allows users to take photos, record videos, add text and drawings and send them to a controlled list of followers. The followers can only view the photos for a short period of time, after which Snapchat supposedly destroys them. However, many users get around this feature by taking screen shots of the photos. This app has been associated in sexting cases among teens that led to harassment.
Vine - This mobile app is primarily used to post/watch short videos. However, in some instances teens are using the app to videotape others without their knowledge or using the app to mock or harass other kids.
New site
Pheed - Some have called this the next big social app for teens, with 81% of its user base between 14-25 years old. One of the site's more popular features is the ability for teens to livestream what they're doing at any given moment. It's yet another social media platform that allows for the sharing of all sorts of content, including text, photos, videos and audio.
What can I do as a parent?
1. Set up guidelines with your children regarding use of all electronic devices:
-will you have their passwords?
-will you be their “friend” on a site/app?
-will you randomly be checking their devices?
-are there specific times they can use their devices? - Some parents aren’t aware that children are up and using social networking sites well after their official bed time. (Some parents designate a specific spot in the house where all electronic devices are kept after a certain hour)
2. It is important for parents to talk openly with their children about which applications and sites they are using, and the risks associated with them:
-review the district policy on cyberbullying (www.edison.k12.nj.us )
-are their “friends” on these sites people they know in real life
3. Periodically google “social networking sites” to learn about trends in this area.
Woodrow Wilson Guidance Department