Approximately 3 billion users use social media worldwide, and the majority of them are teenagers. It is one place where we spend most of our time scrolling and checking reels and videos.
Parents, do you know which social media platforms your teens are using? Did you know that 59% of teenagers have experienced online harassment?
Yes, unfortunately, these statistics are true. So continue reading this article to equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to ensure you and your teenager’s online activity is a secure and positive one.
In today’s ever-evolving world, as per schools in Hadapsar Pune, social media is an important part of almost everyone but especially teenagers. Students are addicted to social media as it offers a space for self-expression, instant connection with known friends and friends who are not close, and access to a vast amount of information.
Where everything is turning digital, it has become more important to be concerned about the safety and security of teenagers.
This article provides insights to parents and caregivers on how to keep their teenage children safe by ensuring safety and privacy settings.
The Power and Perils of Social Media
Social media platforms are a double-edged sword for teenagers as they have their advantages because they provide opportunities for self-expression and social connection. They also have disadvantages as they expose young users to potential dangers. So it is crucial to understand these perils which are the first step in promoting social media safety.
Facts
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As per, the Pew Research Center 56% of teenagers have shared their location on social media, leading to unwanted attention and potential threats.
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400 million people from India use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and WhatsApp.
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Over 37% of users who are Indian teenagers have experienced cyberbullying.
Privacy Concerns
Pretty much every social media account today requires access to user’s personal information like Name, Phone number, Birth Date, Location, Email ID etc. Parents should take certain steps to address these privacy concerns.
Profile Privacy Settings: Ask them to review and adjust to preferred privacy settings to hide their photos, posts and personal information from unknown people.
Password Security: Teach them to change the password every 3 months. Also help them to keep strong, unique passwords for most of the accounts like Gmail and other social media accounts to prevent unauthorised access.
Caution with Personal Information: Teach them why they should not share sensitive details in public posts, such as phone numbers and addresses.
Cyberbullying
Social media can be one of the places where teenagers can easily be cyberbullied so parents must establish an open environment where they feel comfortable discussing their online experiences, good or bad.
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Teach them how to block and report abusive users on social media platforms.
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Keep an eye on the mental health or emotional changes in your child that may be related to online bullying, and offer emotional support and counselling whenever needed.
Strangers and Online Predators
As per schools in Hadapsar Pune, online interactions can expose teenagers to strangers who may not have good intentions.
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Parents can protect their children by asking to limit their online connections or interaction only with the people they know personally.
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Teach them why disclosing personal photos or personal information with unknowns can be dangerous.
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Providing privacy to children is good but parental control apps help know your child’s online activity and are essential to save them from problems. You can limit screen time, and block inappropriate content through such apps.
Regular Check-Ins: Periodically reviewing your child’s social media activity is necessary to know that they are interacting safely.
Online Awareness: Teach them to think critically about what they post and let them know the consequences of the same.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
Teens often feel the pressure to be online because they fear missing out on something. Parents should provide them guidance on real contentment beyond social media validation.
Age-appropriate Content and Screen Time Management
Parents must ensure that their teenagers have access to age-appropriate content and they are not spending excessive time on social media viewing content that is not suitable for their age.
Safe Posting and Respectful Communication
Encourage your teenager to practise responsible posting and respectful communication; they should avoid hate speech, and offensive content posting on social media.
Mental Health and Social Media
Parents must teach their children to be confident about themselves and social media is a fake world so they should not be influenced. Check if they face any issues like anxiety, depression, and body image concerns and provide emotional support.
Online Etiquette and Netiquette
Teach teenagers about netiquette (internet etiquette) i.e. importance of treating others with respect and fostering a positive and respectful online community.
Online Challenges and Trends
Teach teenagers how to be cautious and aware of dangerous online challenges which can be harmful and put them at risk. Guide them on how to cope with peer pressure.
The Role of Schools and Communities
Schools in Hadapsar Pune incorporate digital literacy and social media safety into their curriculum which helps teenagers learn about responsible online behaviour.
Reporting Suspicious Things
Teach your teenagers how to report any suspicious activities or inappropriate behaviour from other users. Assure them that you are there for their support if they have any concerns.
Teaching Digital Responsibility
Teach them to post responsibly as it can affect them in future. Let them know that most colleges and employers often review applicants’ online profiles.
Government Regulations and Laws
Teach your children about laws and regulations related to their online actions as it can help them when in need.
Online Safety Workshops: Take your child to workshops and webinars that focus on online safety, privacy, and responsible social media use.
Conclusion
Social media safety is the collective effort of both parents and their secondary school students. Social media may seem necessary these days but addressing the risks is crucial to ensuring a positive online experience. By following a few measures parents can help their teenagers navigate the digital world safely.
