Social Media and Your Children: What to Look For

Social media takes on many forms – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and many others that seem to form almost daily. While many students use social media to communicate with other students in schools in Orlando, the Diocese of Orlando warns that your children’s social media usage must be closely monitored.

• Do not share personal information: Many young people have accounts that only include their first name or are created with an alias. This safety procedure ensures nobody can easily trace who your child is. Make sure your child does not post where they are when out with friends, what their daily schedule is, where they live, phone numbers, or other personal information. If a friend is asking for this information, have that friend call and speak with you. Check the privacy settings on your child’s accounts and make sure they mask personal information.
• Is it appropriate?: Many young children do not realize the picture they are posting has a caption that would be considered offensive by many people. Teach your children what is appropriate to share and what is not. When in doubt, do not share. This is vital for teens and young adults because employers frequently check potential employee’s social posts.
• Do not share passwords: You teach your child safety procedures for social media. Your child’s friend may not have had the same training, though. When your child shares passwords with his or her best friend, the other child may initiate conversations or share content that you may find inappropriate. Explain to your child the importance of keeping all passwords private, and change passwords frequently to ensure the accounts remain safe.
• Never be a cyberbully: Many people would refrain from inappropriate talk or actions in person, yet easily insult or bully others online. Not seeing the other person encourages behavior not seen as frequently face to face. Cyberbullying is not only cruel, but it can also lead to very serious repercussions. Students can be suspended or expelled from school for cyberbullying, or arrested and persecuted if they are older. If your child is being bullied online, keep all correspondence as evidence. If your child denies being bullied but is upset, emotional, or is not eating or sleeping properly, monitor all social media to ensure he or she is not the victim of cyberbullying.

Children are so adept with technology, it is second nature to them. This does not mean they have the insight of adults when it applies to social media. Monitor their accounts, and shut down any conversations you find inappropriate and unfriend anyone who is posting information you do not wish your child to see. With your guidance, social media can be a positive communication tool for your child. The Diocese of Orlando wants to keep its parishioners of all ages safe in today’s fast-paced computer-based society. Call the Diocese today at 407-246-4903 for information on the tools we use to keep our children safe in our schools in Orlando.