Social Media Safety
"The number of predators connected to the Internet at any one time is estimated to be 750,000"
(Najat Maala, United Nations).
(Najat Maala, United Nations).
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We live in an age where teens, tweens, and adults face many dangers in the online world. However technology is not the problem - it's how we use it. The solution is simple - brain security! The only way to enjoy the benefits of technology is to guard against the risks by being informed.
It's up to YOU to educate your family, and keep them safe! |
Social Media Tips
1. Research shows that the frontal lobe (thinking, logical, predicting centre) of the brain is not as developed in children as adults. You are your children's frontal lobe. You are responsible for informing your children of the dangers they need to be aware of when using social media.
2. Do you let your children go out and stay at a friend's home when you don't know the friend, the parents or where they stay? Unlikely. It is even more important to know where your children "stay" when they are online.
3. Social media is not private; it's not a diary! Social Networks are public spaces where people can join. This means the content posted is not private. So setup rules about where smartphones, tablets, computers can be used. The more public the space the more you can be aware of who your children are talking to. Also, whether they like it or not, follow them on their social media accounts. They may not like you reading what they're posting - but then what they're posting is not private, millions are potentially reading it.
4. You don't leave your cell phone and money lying around in the open, you lock them away. Your children's information is even more important than this as it can lead would-be criminals to them. Make sure their identity is hidden. Check that they are not revealing private information about themselves online like their address or the school they attend, etc. Children often unwittingly do this even in games when they create "clans" with their school or town name.
5. All parents warn their children not to talk to strangers, and definitely not to befriend a stranger. Are you aware of the friends your child has in Facebook and other social media sites? Verify everyone, and remove all "friends" who are not a direct friend. Do not
allow any "friend of a friend". Remove all "strangers" from your children's friend lists. Warn your children against talking to anyone they don't know in chat rooms - even if it is a friend of a friend!
6. If a stranger stood outside your house and watched it everyday you would be worried and do something. However, many "strangers" can watch what you and your children are doing. Software called Spyware infects millions of computers and secretly watches what you type and where you go . Every computer should have antispyware and antivirus software installed.
7. You wouldn't take photos of your children and stick them on street poles all over the roads. Be careful what photos both you and your children upload onto the web. These environments are not private and digital images persist - even if you remove them, they may already be on many other websites.
8. You wouldn't allow your children to browse pornographic material in a shop. Don't let them inadvertently do this while online. Set Google's SafeSearch filtering (under Settings) to "Use Strict Filtering". Also be aware of the dangers of searching YouTube videos, hence Tip #3.
9. You wouldn't let your children take a stranger into their room at night. Don't let them go to bed with a cell phone. Lying in bed and chatting to "friends" is both unhealthy and potentially dangerous. Make them leave their cell phone with you until the morning. Alternatively install software that controls the times their devices are active. See video below.
10. If your child asked to join a friend on holiday you would want answers to questions like - Who is this friend? Who is driving? What type of car is it? Where is the destination? Your child is going on a journey on the information superhighway - that's a given - be sure you know where they're going, what the risks are, and how they can travel safely. It's your responsibility.
2. Do you let your children go out and stay at a friend's home when you don't know the friend, the parents or where they stay? Unlikely. It is even more important to know where your children "stay" when they are online.
3. Social media is not private; it's not a diary! Social Networks are public spaces where people can join. This means the content posted is not private. So setup rules about where smartphones, tablets, computers can be used. The more public the space the more you can be aware of who your children are talking to. Also, whether they like it or not, follow them on their social media accounts. They may not like you reading what they're posting - but then what they're posting is not private, millions are potentially reading it.
4. You don't leave your cell phone and money lying around in the open, you lock them away. Your children's information is even more important than this as it can lead would-be criminals to them. Make sure their identity is hidden. Check that they are not revealing private information about themselves online like their address or the school they attend, etc. Children often unwittingly do this even in games when they create "clans" with their school or town name.
5. All parents warn their children not to talk to strangers, and definitely not to befriend a stranger. Are you aware of the friends your child has in Facebook and other social media sites? Verify everyone, and remove all "friends" who are not a direct friend. Do not
allow any "friend of a friend". Remove all "strangers" from your children's friend lists. Warn your children against talking to anyone they don't know in chat rooms - even if it is a friend of a friend!
6. If a stranger stood outside your house and watched it everyday you would be worried and do something. However, many "strangers" can watch what you and your children are doing. Software called Spyware infects millions of computers and secretly watches what you type and where you go . Every computer should have antispyware and antivirus software installed.
7. You wouldn't take photos of your children and stick them on street poles all over the roads. Be careful what photos both you and your children upload onto the web. These environments are not private and digital images persist - even if you remove them, they may already be on many other websites.
8. You wouldn't allow your children to browse pornographic material in a shop. Don't let them inadvertently do this while online. Set Google's SafeSearch filtering (under Settings) to "Use Strict Filtering". Also be aware of the dangers of searching YouTube videos, hence Tip #3.
9. You wouldn't let your children take a stranger into their room at night. Don't let them go to bed with a cell phone. Lying in bed and chatting to "friends" is both unhealthy and potentially dangerous. Make them leave their cell phone with you until the morning. Alternatively install software that controls the times their devices are active. See video below.
10. If your child asked to join a friend on holiday you would want answers to questions like - Who is this friend? Who is driving? What type of car is it? Where is the destination? Your child is going on a journey on the information superhighway - that's a given - be sure you know where they're going, what the risks are, and how they can travel safely. It's your responsibility.
Social Media Safety Course - Click Here to find out more
If you'd like to educate yourself and your family on social media safety then enroll on our Social Media Safety course - it could be a life-changing decision (literally)
>> Amazing App to Control Your Kids' Devices <<
Check out this amazing, FREE app (OurPact.com) that will allow you to control your children's device - be it an iPhone, iPad, or Android device. The application allows you set limits on their usage. This can either be set up as a schedule, so that they can only use the device at certain times, or you can manually turn them off. When you shut down their device all they can do is phone...all internet access, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, games are disabled!
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Setup Instructions for OurPact
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Technology has two sides - a light and dark, a good and bad. One thing is certain, ignoring or banning technology is not the solution. What is key is finding ways to use technology in positive ways, and this begins with how we teach with technology. Dr Blewett's ground breaking work on education technology has resulted in the widely publicised Activated Classroom Teaching approach. This unique approach is transforming how schools and universities around the world are using technology in the classroom.
The video below is a excerpt from Dr Blewett's interview on Carte Blanche that explored the impact and treatment of digital addiction on children and how a more positive approach can make a huge difference.
The video below is a excerpt from Dr Blewett's interview on Carte Blanche that explored the impact and treatment of digital addiction on children and how a more positive approach can make a huge difference.
Remember keeping your children safe online is YOUR responsibility
The key is getting informed!
>> Join Our Online Social Media Safety Course <<
The key is getting informed!
>> Join Our Online Social Media Safety Course <<