1. Social Media and Internet Safety
December 8th, 2016
Sequoia Charter School
Adriana Escamilla, LMFT
Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

2. Common Concerns
Easy access to pornography, ways to self-harm, and ultra-violent content
Over-exposure to high risk behaviors makes them seem normal (i.e., drugs, alcohol, impulsive decisions of other teens)
Easy prey for tech savvy predators
Information on health, sexuality, etc. may be inaccurate and even dangerous
Increased risk of isolation for already isolated teens
Increased mental health issues for already vulnerable teens (anxiety, depression, etc.)
The digital footprint is forever- No “takebacks” once it’s out.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

3. Our Teens
We know that a majority of our teens have struggles “off-line”
Common sense tells us that they will tend to have those same challenges “on-line”.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

4. Off line Online Challenges
Impulsive off line = Impulsive posting, commenting, engaging with others online
Lashes out at others off line = Tendency to lash out at others online (negative comments on profiles, etc.)
Poor Boundaries off line = Poor boundaries online (posting excessively, etc.)
Lies to you about off line activities = Will most likely lie about on-line activities. May also lie to others online…
Feels anxious or worried off line= Will become anxious or worried about EVERYTHING online.
Has been bullied off line = High potential to be bullied online.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

5. Common Apps used at Sequoia
Facebook
Instagram
Potential to be following negative/positive influences
Potential to follow those with self-injurious behaviors.
Snapchat
Potential to follow those with self-injurious videos.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

6. Student Poll Results
41% of Students polled at Sequoia reported experiencing cyberbullying
via social media apps, texting, etc.
These students also reported struggling with depression, anxiety, isolation,
and other mental health issues as a result of the bullying.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

7. Common Messaging Apps and Parent Concerns
Ask.fm
-Why its popular: Q & A’s about favorite foods or crushes, potential for mean comments and creepy sexual posts.
-Parent Concerns: Anonymity encourages bullying, app has been linked to several teen suicides, Q &A’s can be linked to facebook.
Kik Messenger
-Why its popular: Messaging app to send pics, texts, etc., don’t have to use real name, “mini-apps” inside the app that allow them to message strangers
-Parent Concerns: Easy to send messages to a group of people, accidentally post things to a group when meant to send to a single individual, possible to have anonymous contact with strangers, marketing ploys to teens.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

8. Common Messaging Apps and Parent Concerns
Omegle
-Why its popular: Online chat rooms to anonymously discuss risky topics or to meet up with others, users get paired up with strangers.
-Parent Concerns: App has been implicated in cases of sexual predators, NOT an app for kids or teens, filled with people searching for sexual chat, explicit language, etc.
Whisper
-Why its popular: Social confessional app that allows users to post whatever is on their mind, intended for users 17 and older. Can be amusing, heartbreaking, troubling, and comforting all at the same time.
-Parent Concerns: Some confessions can contain triggering information, inappropriate content, potential for Whisper posts to be public.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

9. Common Messaging Apps and Parent Concerns
Yik-Yak -Why its popular: Geographically based messaging, teens can connect anonymously with teens in their area. -Parent Concerns:Implicated in threats across college campuses, crass and rude content, if a teen posts that he/she is going to commit an acat of violence, anonymity can fizzle, developers have to comply with law enforcement, thus teens can suffer legal trouble.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

10. Temporary Apps and Parent Concerns
Burn Note -Why it’s popular-A messaging app that erases messages after a set period of time. It's limited to text; users can't send pictures or video. -Parent Concerns- Promises a complete delete, anonymity can encourage bullying, anyone can receive a burn note Line -Why it’s popular- all in one messaging app, offers collection of 10,000 stickers (emojis),free texting and video calls. -Parent concerns- Hidden messages, in-app purchases are a big part of the app, states that minors need parental permission, however no monitoring system.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

11. Video- Secret Apps
you/
What do you take away from this video?
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.

12. Things to Keep in Mind
Developmentally appropriate for teens to be independent and curious about the internet/social media.
Over control is just as dangerous as under control. Not every kid needs to be monitored 24/7 on the internet.
It’s ok to be friends with your teen on facebook or follow them on Instagram, but understand if you do most of their socializing on other sites.
Social Media is here to stay- might as well use it. How can we redirect negative social media activities to positive ones?
Have an open conversation with them about what they like about certain websites and applications. ASK QUESTIONS- LISTEN to their responses
Bewebsmart.com : Great resource for parents to gain knowledge on all of the latest websites and applications.
PAC Presentation 11/3/2015-Adriana Escamilla LMFT and Holly Cabuhat, Psy.D.