Kids and Social Networking Introduction Kids and Social Networking - - PDF document

Learwood Middle School

Parent Handbook

Kids and Social Networking

Introduction Kids and Social Networking

Social Networking sites play an important role in connecting the lives of people. Research has shown that social media is the preferred method of communication with young people. As such, they are engaging in connecting with others more than any other previous generation. Younger generations are now labeled as 'digital natives' as they can navigate and engage in digital technologies more easily than their parents. Yet, they lack the maturity and life experiences and need parental guidance as they engage and interact in digital communities. This handbook has been designed to help inform parents

• f the different social networking sites children are engaging in, as well as present ways

to help navigate children's use.

AVON LAKE

C I T Y S C H O O L S Learwood Students and Social Networking Last year 64 Learwood Students were surveyed and asked about their engagement in Social Networking and here were the findings:

• 47% of the students surveyed spend 3-6 hours per day on Social Networking

Apps.

• The following percent of students' use the listed Social Networking Apps daily:

O Instagram- 57.14% O Snapchat- 49.21% O KIK- 19.05% O Twitter- 6.67% The Purpose of this Handbook The purpose for this handbook is to help parents identify Social Networking sites that students' are engaging in. These educational tools are designed to draw attention to the positives and potential dangers of Social Networking, as well as to help parents communicate with their children and monitor their engagement. Contents of this handbook I. Social Networking (SN) apps guide to help parents identify logos and learn about different SN apps. (pages 3-7) II. Ways to engage in constructive dialogue to promote cybersafe behaviors. (page8) III. Ideas/ strategies to monitor kids online SN use. (page 9) P.2

• I. Social Networking Apps Guide

This section of the handbook will provide you with Social Networking App logos and information about each app. Some of the apps also provide links to places on the web where you can go for additional information including videos and articles about the app. The apps are broken down into categories that are safe, good and bad and not safe as stated on the sites mentioned throughout this portion of the handbook (Josh Oschs, https://safesmartsocial.com/social-media-webinar/#start)

Safe Apps for teens and tweens

The following Apps are considered the lesser of the evils that teens and tweens participate

• in. Although they are considered generally 'safe' (as indicated on the Safe, Smart and

Social website and other research based websites listed in the reference section) parental monitoring and communication with kids about their accounts and use is still recommended.

Instagram

57% of Learwood Students use Instagram Daily

What is it?

Creating an Instagram profile allows you a news feed and provides you with a platform to connect and share pictures and photos. It is a fun and easy way to interact with other people. It allows the user to edit, filter and transform pictures and videos. It can be created through Smartphones and computers and shared through other social media platforms such as Twitter, Flickr and Facebook. It is free and requires a username and password to be accessed.

What do parents need to know?

Although is it free, there is an age recommendation of 13+. Kids need to be careful with what pictures and videos they post. As people post pictures and videos, they will have 'followers' and can 'follow' other posts. Instagram encourages teens to gain 'likes' from friends which could promote posting for popularity. When an account is created it is 'public' which means that anyone can follow your posts. You can set up the account to be private, which means that you need to approve followers before they have access to your

• posts. For more information on creating a private account go to:

http://webtrends.about.com/od/Instagram/fl/How-Do-I-Make-Instagram-Private.htm

To watch a parent information video on Instagram go

to:https://safesmartsocial.com/instagram-parents-guide-video/ P.3

Twitter

7% of Learwood Students use Twitter Daily

What is it?

Twitter is a microblogging service that allows the user to construct 'tweets' which are short messages made up of 140 characters or less. Twitter can be an exciting tool for teens and tweens to follow other people's activities. It allows them to follow others 'tweets' and have followers

• themselves. Both adults and kids use this forum to follow the news, celebrities and friends.

What do parents need to know?

Twitter is a public forum where tweets are immediately posted to a wide audience. User posts can get them into trouble when posting in the heat of the moment as 'tweets' do not disappear quickly. It is important to set guidelines with teens and tweens. For more information on safe tweeting and creating a private Twitter account go to: https://about.twitter.com/safety/teens. To watch a parent informational video on Twitter go to: https://safesmartsocial.com/what-is-twitter-parent-guide-video/

Other Safe Social Networking Apps: To watch a video for more information about any of these apps, just click on the link next to the App logo. Facebook:https://safesmartsocial.com/facebook-for-kids-parents-guide/ Facebook Messenger: https://safesmartsocial.com/messenger-app-comparison/ Pinterest: https://safesmartsocial.com/what-is-pinterest/ YouTube: https://safesmartsocial.com/youtube-student-online-reputation/

Good and Bad Apps for teens and tweens

The following apps have the potential to be used appropriately but, also have had the tendency to be used inappropriately by teens and tweens. It is recommended that if your child is subscribing to and participating in social networking with the following apps that there is a constant ongoing dialogue between parents and kids about appropriate use. For tips on talking with your child go to attached links next to the icons or see section II of the handbook (page 8) .

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Snapchat 49% of Learwood Students use Snapchat Daily What is it? Snapchat is similar to Instagram in that you can send and edit photos, drawings and

• videos. It also allows the user to enter chat rooms and live chats with friends. What makes this application

different from other texting apps is that the message disappears after the chosen time limit which means it usually expires around 10 seconds. Because of this feature, many teens use this app to share embarrassing and/or funny silly pictures.

What do parents need to know?

Snapchat's terms of use recommend this app for 13+ (with those under 18 needing parental approval) however, most research reports an age recommendation of 16+. Although the app features an expiration time for posted material, this is a myth. For instance, the receiver can take a screenshot of the message before it expires. Kids need to learn that data is data. Data on Snapchat has the ability to be

• recovered. Many kids have posted inappropriate pictures on Snapchat due to the disappearing nature of

this app. Snapchat is also linked to Discover which has racy content featuring inappropriate language and

• violence. To learn more about Snapchat you can watch the following video:

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/snapchat or read the following article https://familyshare.com/19793/parenting/10-things-parents-and-kids-should-know-about-the-snapchat-app

Other good and bad Social Networking Apps: To watch a video for more information about any of these apps, just click on the link next to the App logo. Musical.ly: https://safesmartsocial.com/musicallv-parent-app-auide/ Periscope: https://safesmartsocial.com/periscope-app-guide/ Vine: https://safesmartsocial.com/what-is-vine-parent-guide-video/ Whatsapp Messenger: https://safesmartsocial.com/messenger-app-comparison/ P.5

NOT Safe Apps for teens and tweens

The following apps are NOT recommended for teens and tweens. These apps display inappropriate content which is unmoderated and often labeled as 'secret'. The user can enter these social forums and communicate with others without revealing their true identity. This feature has the tendency to promote cyber bullying and communication with online predators. Research has shown that engagement in these apps can promote bad behavior.

Kik

19% of Learwood Students use KIK Daily

What is it?

At first glance, Kik offers the same social networking opportunities such as sending texts, pictures and emojis to friends. It also offers many internal apps such as games, music, videos etc. The founder of Kik stated this app was designed for young people to use. However, it has many other features which can be dangerous. There is an age recommendation of 18+

What do parents need to know?

Any of the Apps mentioned in this section are dangerous due to the anonymity of the user. These apps do not require a person to reveal their true identity. Therefore, many kids reveal information and engage in conversations with anonymous adults that are inappropriate. This app and those in this category need to be educated on how to 'block' outsiders as some predators have been know to mask their identity as they engage in communication with youngsters. Unfortunately, this app also has features which illicit in-app purchases which are also inappropriate for the young. This app has been described as 'pushy' as once a person is signed up it automatically suggests friend and sends bots which promote inappropriate marketing messages to the user. This app is highly rated as dangerous for kids https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/kik-messenger/user-reviews/adult. To learn more about Kik you can watch the following video at: https://safesmartsocial.com/messenger-app-comparison/

NOT Safe Social Networking Apps: To watch a video for more information about any of these apps, just click on the link next to the App logo.

AfterSchoolApp: http://safesmartsocial.com/after-school-app-parent-guide-video/ Ask.fm: https://safesmartsocial.com/ask-fm-parents-guide/ BurnBook: https://safesmartsocial.com/what-is-the-burn-book-app-parent-teacher-guide/

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V

Calculator%Private Photo: https://safesmartsocial.com/private-photo-calculator-app/ Ogle: https://safesmartsocial.com/what-is-ogle-app/ Omegle: https://safesmartsocial.com/omegle-chat-app-parent-guide/

• oVoo: https://safesmartsocial.com/what-is-oovoo-social-media-safety/

Secret App: https://safesmartsocial.com/secret-app-parents-guide/ Slingshot (Wishbone): https://safesmartsocial.com/what-are-wishbone-slingshot-apps/ StreetChat: https://safesmartsocial.com/streetchat-app-parent-guide-video/ Tumblr: https://safesmartsocial.com/what-is-tumblr-parent-teacher-guide/ WhatsGoodly: https://safesmartsocial.com/whatsgoodly-app-social-media-safety/ Whisper: https://safesmartsocial.com/whisper-app-parents-guide-video/ Wishbone: https://safesmartsocial.com/what-are-wishbone-slingshot-apps/ Yik Yak: https://safesmartsocial.com/yik-yak-app-parents-guide-video/ YouNow: https://safesmartsocial.com/younow-social-media-safety/

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I

• II. Promoting CyberSafe Behaviors

Because children lack maturity and life experiences, parents need to become internet savvy in order to provide the necessary guidance to children as they engage and interact in digital communities. The following Internet safety tips present ways to help navigate children's use.

• Engage in Constant Dialogue with your Children about their Internet Use: Be

AWARE of what Apps your child is using and how they are using them. Spend time

• nline with them and get to know the activities they are engaging in.
• Become Their Friend on Social Media. Just as parents make it a point to get to

know their child's friends at school, parents need to be aware of who their child is friends with online. This will also allow you to monitor their 'tweets' and 'posts'.

• Appropriate vs. Inappropriate Posts. Discuss with your child what is

appropriate and inappropriate to post online. This conversation should cover sexual harassment, bullying, photos and private information. Kathleen Morris suggests to teach the acronym YAPPY - Your full name, address, phone number, passwords, your plans.( Taken from: http://primarytech.global2.vic.edu.au/2012/10/12/10-internet-safety-tips-for-stude nts/) This is private information which should not be shared publically on line.

• Don't Friend Anyone or Talk to Anyone You Don't Know.
• Discuss their "Digital Footprint". It is important for children to understand that

their posts can have a long lasting effect. Encourage them to think before they

• post. They should not post anything they will feel embarrassed showing a parent,

grandparent or teacher.

• Creating an Open Line of Communication. Research has shown that children

rarely go to adults when they encounter problems online (http://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au/fact-internet-safety-tips-parents.shtml). Talk to your child about exiting a site whenever they feel uncomfortable for any

• reason. Encourage them to come to you and talk about issues they encounter
• nline.

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• III. Ideas and Strategies to Monitor Online Use

This is a good video to watch with your child to get the conversation started:

• Facebook. YouTube. Texting: Rules of the Road for Kids

Other suggestions for Parents for Keeping Kids Safe OnLine:

• Keep computers in a Common Room of the house where online use can be

monitored.

• Very close supervision, especially for young children is recommended.
• Set all Apps to "Private" and not "Public". Many of the links provided in this

handbook show how to do this for the different apps.

• Create a Social Media Contract with your child with their help. This will allow them

to feel as though they have some control and will encourage them to take responsibility for their online behavior.

• There are tools for parents which help monitor children's use of Apps and other
• nline search engines such as Google and YouTube. The Parenting App

MamaBear can be downloaded at http://mamabearapp.com/. It provides a variety of services (both free and some you can purchase) to help monitor your

• child. Here is the link to a short video you can watch about this service.

How to Monitor Your Teen's Social Media Activity & Driving. MamaBear App Review & Demo Other References and Resources for Parents: Talking to Kids and Tweens About Social Media 10 Internet Safety Tips for Students Internet Safety Tips for Teachers & Parents Internet Safety for Kids Social Media Contracts Help Keep Your Teens Safe on Social Media

• Safe. Smart and Social: Teaching Students How to Shine Online (Josh Ochs)

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