Social Media Cave Spring Elementary School

Our Ever-Changing World

Social Media and Youth At this age, the internet is no longer a solitary experience. It is SOCIAL. Technology is going to play a huge part in your child’s life. We must educate ourselves the best we can. They are creating a digital footprint that can last a long time in cyberspace.

Phone, internet and social media 75% of middle schoolers have a presence on the web (up from 48% in 2008) 27% are using some form of social media to text, chat, blog 3+ hours/day 88% feel informed about internet safety 26% felt their parents would be nervous if they knew what they did on the internet or cell 24% are receiving intimidating or threatening technology messages 12% are sending intimidating or threatening technology

Percentage of students who reported receiving threatening or intimidating messages online or through cell phones 24% (24.7%, 2012) Middle School 31.2% (29.4%, 2012) High School Percentage of students who reported sending sexually inappropriate pictures or messages using a cell phone or computer 11.4% (13.4%, 2012) Middle School 35% (31.3%, 2012) High School Percentage of students who reported texting while driving 25.1% (32.3%, 2012) High School Selected Findings: Messages and Cell Phones

DO YOU KNOW WHAT APPS ARE ON YOUR CHILD’S PHONE? THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF TODAY’S POPULAR APPS!

Snap Chat Messaging app - send photos and texts “Destroys” photos/text messages within 10 seconds after being opened Reputation for sexting Age 15 Can be accessed by third parties

Instagram Photo-sharing and social networking service Post pictures and videos Why It’s Dangerous: – Can access mature and/or inappropriate content – Makes content public – Must be 13 to get app

KIK Messaging that allows texts/pictures to be sent without saving to phone’s history (Similar apps: Viper, WhatsApp, TextNow) Why It’s Dangerous: – Send and receive inappropriate text/pictures – Profiles are visible to anyone – Random strangers can contact your child – 17 years old

YiK Yak Free, post anything Works via GPS – closest 500 yackers Tracks your location Up vote/Down vote Must be 17 but no age verification

Vine Users can watch and post 6 second videos 15 years old Why It’s Dangerous: – Videos can be inappropriate – Predators use this app to search for teens and find their location and try to connect with them via other apps

Ask any questions Can record self with webcam Why It’s Dangerous: – Not moderated – No parental controls – Cruel questions – Can lead to cyberbullying – Age 13

Whisper Post secrets anonymously Chat with other users in your geographical location Why It’s Dangerous: – Perfect tool for ill-intentioned strangers and anonymity can be lost.

ChatRoulette Video chat with strangers (similar to Omegle) Why It’s Dangerous: – May be chatting with a “fake- stranger” (Example – 50 year old man posing as a 15 year old boy) – No registration – No age verification

Omegle Video chat with strangers Catch phrase to talk to strangers Why It’s Dangerous: 2 strangers are connected together Age 15

Hiding Apps Apps designed to hide your photos, videos, text messages, contacts, and apps Poof! (no longer available but may still be on your child’s phone!) Other names: Hidden Apps, App Lock, and Cydia. – Other free app names (iPhone): Secret Calculator and Vault, – Other free app names (Android): Smart Hide Calculator, Hide It Pro, and Vault.

Device Settings : Unhiding Hiding Apps Teens are more likely to use apps when it comes to hiding their pictures, applications, text messages, and other data on their smartphones, so it is important to know what devices offer in terms of hiding apps and content. On the iPhone, you can hide applications by going into the Settings > General > Restrictions and checking off next to applications that you don’t want to show up on the screen. To make them reappear, you can go back and repeat the process. Androids offer the same option of hiding apps from the home screen. You can do so by going to the App Drawer > Home > Settings > Hide Applications and choosing apps that you would like to hide. Just like on the iPhone, you will have to repeat the process to unhide the apps.

CigarettesAlcoholMarijuanaRx Drugs 30 day use4%7%5%3% Risk of Harm93%78%84%95% Perception of Peer Disapproval 86%79%86%97% Perception of Parental Disapproval 96%92%95%94% Roanoke County Middle School Comparisons 2014

CigarettesAlcoholMarijuanaRx Drugs 30 day use17%33%20%10% Risk of Harm92%68%61%92% Perception of Peer Disapproval 62%46%53%83% Perception of Parental Disapproval 89%79%85%95% Roanoke County High School Comparisons 2014

If students feel that their peers would consider drinking, smoking, etc., to be wrong, then they are ALSO less likely to engage in those behaviors. When students perceive that their peers would feel it was wrong or very wrong to smoke, drink, or use marijuana or prescription drugs, then (HS): 69.2% did not smoke cigarettes in the past 30 days 60% did not have at least one drink of alcohol in the past 30 days. 65.1% did not use marijuana in the past 30 days 87.4% did not use prescription drugs to get high in the past 30 days. Drilling Down: Peer Disapproval

If students feel that their parents would consider drinking, smoking, etc., to be wrong, then they are less likely to engage in those behaviors. When students perceive that their parents would feel it was wrong or very wrong to smoke, drink, or use marijuana or prescription drugs, then (HS): 93.4% did not smoke in the past 30 days 86.7% did not have at least one drink of alcohol in the past 30 days 93.5% did not use marijuana in the past 30 days 93.3% did not use prescription drugs in the past 30 days Drilling Down: Parental Influence

Of those students that reported never (past 7 days) eating together with their family, 25% did smoke cigarettes in the past 30 days 39% did drink alcohol in the past 30 days 30% did use marijuana in the past 30 days 17% did use prescription drugs to get high in the past 30 days Drilling Down: Family

Advice for Parents Check what your kids are doing. Know which apps they are using and learn about them. Create clear ground rules in your house. Enforce those rules. Ask questions. Again and again! Have your children unplug at dinner and at bedtime. Set the example! No cell phone in the bedroom!

Advice for Parents Talk to your kids about what is appropriate to say and post – Common Sense Media Stranger Danger exists even online! Don’t allow them on sites with age restrictions that they don’t meet. Stay up to date on what is out there (as much as possible ).

5 Ways to Use Technology to Bond with Your Children 1.Exploration: You can open up the window of endless opportunities to explore with your child. Discovery kids is a great place to visit each night. 2.Education in Other Cultures: Use technology to educate your kids about other people’s backgrounds. Technology can remove stereotypes and increase understanding and affection. 3. The Power of Video: We now have wonderful video capabilities that allow to remain connected to our children. 4. Communication: We must embrace the new methods of communicating to deepen our bonds with our children. Technology is just another means to tell your kids you love them! 5.School Involvement: With new technology, parents can stay on top of our kids’ school work on a daily basis.

Digital Citizenship A Noun The norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to technology use Health…..Wellness Responsible with My Social MEdia

THANK YOU! For more information or to schedule additional presentations or social media classes, please contact: Nancy Hans, Brooks Michael,