Appropriate Uses of Social Media

"You are the key to your safety!"

Our Goal Statement

We will help stop cyberbullying, online stranger danger, and digital footprints. By standing up to online bullies, being careful to whom you speak with online, and to be careful of what you post online. We will promote appropriate uses of social media, with tips on how to be safe online.

What is Social Media?

The term social media refers to web and mobile technologies and practices that people use to share content, opinions , insights, experiences, and perspective online. There are many prominent examples of social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and blogging sites among many others.

Problems to Avoid

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Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying is the use of technology to tease, humiliate, threaten and/ or harass someone.
It can take place through text messaging or social media.
70% of students report seeing frequent bullying online.
90% of teens who have seen social-media bullying say they have ignored it.
84% have seen others tell cyberbullies to stop.

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Stranger Danger

Stranger danger is the danger to children and adults, presented by strangers.
The phase stranger danger is intended to sum up the danger associated with adults whom adults/children do not know.
The phrase has found widespread usage and many children will hear it during their childhood lives.

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Digital Footprint

On the Internet a digital footprint is the word used to describe the trail, traces or "footprints" that people leave online.
Mistakes aren't as easy as they used to be because so much of our lives are shared online.
Digital Footprints last forever, and colleges and jobs will look back at them to see if you are qualified.

Tips and Tricks

General Internet Safety

Be nice. Never post hurtful messages about others.
Think twice before hitting enter. Teens should avoid posting specific locations of parties or events, as well as phone phone numbers.
Use privacy settings. Passwords are there to protect them against things like identity theft and should never be shared with anyone ( including a boyfriend, girlfriend, or best friend)

Closing the Chapter on Cyber Bullying

Even though completely eliminating cyber bullying may seem hard, we can eventually put an end to cyber bullying.

Cyber bullying is often sparked because either the cyber bully had been cyber bullied or they feel insecure about themselves and they want others to feel what they felt. Never respond to harassment or mean comments.
Even if your child isn't being cyber bullied, remind them that it is everyone's job to prevent bullying and encourage them to take a stand.

Steer Clear of Stranger Danger

You might think that you are just making a new friend online, but your "new friend" might be out there trying to hurt you.

69% of teens regularly receive messages from a stranger online.
15% of people ages 10-17 have received a sexual message from a stranger online.
Social media sites are a popular place for teens to be victimized online. Teens may already be acquainted with predators from school, hangouts, or school related events.
Don't respond to someone you don't know trying to reach out to you through social media because there is no way to know if they are trying to hurt you or not.

Avoiding A Negative Digital Footprint

Everything you post on the internet stays there. What you post can and will affect your future. Some ways to make sure you have a positive digital footprint are to be nice to others on the internet, don't post too much too often, and think about what you're posting BEFORE you post it.

What We Learned

Chandler: "About one-third of online teens have been cyber bullied, and girls are more likely to be targeted."

Libby: "Parents usually don't get involved kids' use of social media because they are either too busy or they simply don't know how."

Hollie: "When you have an online friend, it is possible that they are lying to you about everything and could want to meet you."

Kennedy: "17% of teens say they have been contacted online by someone they didn't know in a way that made them uncomfortable."

Tim: "Your digital footprint is everything you do online, even the websites you have

visited."

Jack: "There are organizations out there that sell your information for money, so you need to be extra careful."

Caleb: "Watch out for what you do on the internet (whether it is on google or social media) because it can come back around to haunt you when you try to get a job or go to college."