by Dennis Harter
Middle school is a natural age for young people to be exploring social contexts and behavior. Middle school students are testing boundaries using a brain that is predisposed to social gratification. “What other kids think” is often very important to students at this age. Social media adds a complexity to this through 24/7 contact with peers and the more public sharing of personal details and ideas.
The most important part of keeping your children safe in social media environment is regular conversation with your children about how and what they use it for. Open discussion about your fears and how your children can stay safe helps your child make sound decisions when issues arise.
An added complication comes from the public nature of social media and the possible contact with strangers online.
A June Wired magazine article highlighted some ways to protect your child’s privacy in social media. Despite the unfortunate title, there are some good suggestions here for privacy settings that provide a more protected social media environment. Talk to your students about which applications they use and whether their settings and use protect them from any unwanted attention.