Social Media: Remove the risk and reap the rewards
In today’s digital world, safety is a top concern—particularly if you are trying to protect your children.
Tara Clark and Doug Rogers, District Substance Abuse Prevention Counsellor SD#22, at the Vernon Secondary School
The Vernon School District hosted Social T.’s own Tara Clark earlier this week, inviting her to give a special talk to parents about safety surrounding their children’s’ social media & posting.
The generations preceding today’s millennials are at a disadvantage when it comes to the digital landscape. Millennials grew up finding their footing, easily and with little effort, while their parents and grandparents struggled to adapt to the constantly evolving technology. But having grown up alongside social media, many teens are less than cautious about the safety hazards these platforms pose.
The good news is, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter encourage community, discussion, and the sharing of hobbies, passions, and art. They can be wonderful means by which to keep in touch with long-distance family, and friends, and can help to preserve a bond that, just 25 years ago, may have been lost or weakened due to distance.
Be aware and don't overshare!
But these platforms can pose a risk to teens if they are not careful enough with what they share on social media. It comes down to two crucial things: monitoring security settings and being mindful of the content that is posted. As a young user, here’s how you can protect yourself.
Stranger Danger! Receive a friend request from someone you don’t know? Delete it.
If something feels wrong, it probably is. Having doubts about whether that picture you’re about to post could get you in trouble or come back to haunt you? Don’t post it. Even if you delete it right away, screenshots happen fast and your network is always plugged in.
Parents, discuss the pros and cons of social media with your kids —but don’t try to cut them off from using it. Tara’s advice is: be informed, talk to your teen, and encourage transparent discussion. The trust this will establish could make all the difference in the world.
in the news
Tara Clark's Vernon School District 22 presentation was featured in the Vernon Morning Star!