Modern technology is a constant partner of teen`s time spending. They spend more than 7 hours using their devices (smartphones, computers, TV, mp3 players, and other electronic devices) every day. While there are benefits, there are also negative effects connected with modern technologies. For example: cyber addiction, distraction, sexting, cyberbullying, communication with online predators and online deception.
First of all, with the help of social media kids can stay connected with their peers and family. Secondly, they can share the ideas and preferences with their friends and other like minded people. Thirdly, they can broad their mind, learning new things and getting new skills.
The counterparty of the Social Media is less optimistic. It can be a perfect platform for such things as cyberbullying, sexting, online deception or communication with online predators. Using Social media platforms, kids are inclined to share more things than they should. For example, they share their real names, birthdates or home addresses. Such ill-considered actions can easily make them targets of child abusers or people who may deceive them.
The social media statistics on cyber dangers is the following:
Kids spend a lot of time online chatting with friends or getting ready for their classes, or simply surfing the Net. That’s why it is important to discuss Cyber Etiquette tips with your teen.
Being a parent, we spend a lot of time teaching our kids good manners and etiquette. For example: to respect older people, not to put the elbows on the table, not to munch during the meal and so on.
Modern era requires parents to adjust to the changes. Hence, social media etiquette is something that should be discussed separately. Here is the list of common social etiquette rules every parent should know.
The first most important rule is to educate your child not to “friend” people they don`t know. They should also never share personal info, such as home address, phone number etc. On the Internet there are a lot of sockpuppet accounts and online predators who do their best to lure the kids into their trap. That’s why it is important to keep eyes wide open to protect kids while they use social media platforms.
Explain your child that the phone is a tool, not a toy and there is a need to use it wisely. Moderate your kid`s online usage, setting restrictions and monitoring it with parental control apps like mSpy. Ask your child to inform you any time they get offensive or harassing messages.
Nasty behavior is not acceptable in cyber world as well as in a real one. Teach your child that it is important to treat others respectfully and politely, not spreading rumors or posting insulting comments about others.
Make sure your kids understand the importance of privacy settings. Go through the privacy settings together, explain what features should be blocked or restricted (i.e. current location, all accounts should be private). Do not simply block them, but explain the reason and need for it.
The mSpy parental monitoring app, gives you an opportunity to supervise your kid`s online activity, view current GPS location and set safe and dangerous virtual areas around your home or any other place. With mSpy you can block hazardous apps, read text messages, monitor the Internet usage and many others useful things to be sure your kids are safe.
Social media is an unavoidable part of kids` cyber life. Using the Social Media Etiquette tips we have mentioned above you will teach your child how to use technologies wisely.
Remember that using technologies may be funny and exciting, but they will never substitute face-to-face communication. That`s why it is important to encourage your kids to spend more time outside than sitting in front of the screen. Don`t allow the cyber world to replace their reality.
mSpy- Know. Prevent. Protect.