boy on computer isolated
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Kik, Whisper, Tumblr, Snapchat, and Oovoo – these names may read like a foreign language to some parents, but not to your kids. “You really need to know what these apps do and the way these apps work,” explains Sgt. Wade Williams of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office Special Crimes Bureau.
Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) recently held an eye-opening virtual town hall meeting on the safety of social media. Our panel of experts were really only able to scratch the surface on this important topic. That is because there is so much for parents to be aware of when it comes to their child’s use of technology. Do not let that fact overwhelm you as a parent. Instead, I encourage you to take action and get informed. Know what your kid is doing on the internet and on social media.
A Phone is a Privilege
One of the biggest messages delivered by our experts was to set the tone with your child when it comes to technology. “A phone is a privilege, not a right. Set that up from the beginning,” says Sgt. Williams. “They are not going to be that upset or offended when you grab and spot check their phone and when you put parental monitoring apps on there.” Sgt. Williams tells me there are both free and paid parental monitoring apps available with a wide variety of features. They can do everything from monitor the content of your child’s texts to sending alerts when your child adds a new contact. In addition to phone checks and monitoring apps, our experts suggest you avoid letting your child use any apps or programs that let them post anonymously. “If anything uses anonymity or location based services, my first question to you would be why? Why would you want that in the hands of your child?” explains Greg Turchetta, Executive Director of Communications and Community Engagement for CCPS. These types of apps can easily put your child’s safety at risk. The bottom line is that parents need to check out the privacy settings on the devices their child uses. More importantly, parents should review every app their child uses.
Think Before You Post
“One of the critical lessons that we are trying to teach kids at a very young age is to think before they post,” says Russell Sabella, Professor of Counseling in the College of Education at Florida Gulf Coast University. Kids these days have grown up with devices in their hands almost their whole life. They are all about connection, but they struggle with the concept of privacy. Our experts believe it is crucial to make sure your child understands that when you post something online, it should be something you are okay with everyone seeing. If it is something you don’t want your grandmother to see, then don’t post it. “Social media is you, and what you are putting out there. It’s your integrity, it’s your trust, it’s your reputation,” explains Batya Maman, Founder and CEO of Social Connect, LLC. Social media is a very powerful tool, but you have to use it wisely.
Get Informed
As I mentioned before, there is so much parents need to know about their child’s use of social media. These tips are just a few of the big takeaways shared by our experts. You can find more information and resources by visiting www.collierschools.com and clicking on “Town Hall Resources.” Get informed and pay attention to what your kids are doing online.