Navigating the Social Media Sandbox!

What is Social Media? Social Media is the future of communication. A countless array of internet based tools and platforms that increase and enhance the sharing of information. Makes the transfer of text, photos, audio, video, and information in general increasingly fluid among internet users. Social Media has relevance not only for regular internet users, but business as well.

Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, KIK, Instagram and Snapchat have created online communities where people can share as much or as little personal information as they desire with other members. The result is an enormous amount of information that can be easily shared, searched, promoted, disputed, and created.

In essence Social Media is here to stay, it is part of our future and our children’s future too! Using Social Media is a 21st Century tool and we need to educate our children to use it responsibly.

Facts: Visuals are on the increase. Instagram and Snapchat visuals are processed 60 000 times faster than text in the brain. Instagram is the fastest growing social network, it now has 150 million active monthly users. 81% of online teens use some form of Social Media. 75% visit it several times a day. Research shows that there has been a steady increase in students reading over the past five years, due to online applications and social media.

We need to be an e smart school, let’s teach our children to use it safely and smartly.

Our main enemy is when it is used for inappropriate communications.

Parental Tips: Know what your children are doing online. Look at the history on the device. Familiarise yourself with Social Media frequented by your child. Know what the settings are and what they expose a member to. Be aware of how easy fake accounts can be made. Discuss the risks with your children and agree on internet use. Develop and nurture a family culture on internet use and social media. Always go with your gut feeling, most times you will be glad you did. Make sure you children know not to share personal information or photos with strangers. Report any inappropriate, harmful or criminal activities that occur online or via a mobile device . Limit time on devices and online. Less access = less trouble, it’s that simple!