During these times of isolation, we might be finding it hard to connect with our friends and the first place we go is social media. While there are fun apps to use and it is a great way for us to keep in touch with one another, sometimes the best choices are not being made which can lead us to some difficult situations.
When using social media please remember:
The content you share can be saved and shared and may NEVER go away!
Since it’s so easy to add friends on these apps there may be many people you do not know well on your friends list.
Some apps enable your profile to be public by default and thus leaving your profile open to anyone to watch videos, send messages and know your location.
Think about your online reputation! Anyone can see what you post online — even if you think no one will. Potential employers and college admissions staff often browse social-networking sites.
Anything you create or communicate can be cut, altered, pasted, and sent around. Once you put something online, it’s out of your control and can be taken out of context and used to hurt you or someone else. This includes writing as well as photos. If you wouldn’t put something on the wall of the school hallway, you shouldn’t post it online.
Avoid drama. Don’t forward harmful messages or embarrassing photos, and don’t impersonate other people by using their accounts or devices or create fake pages.
Watch the clock. Social-networking sites can be real time sucks. Hours and hours can go by, which isn’t great for getting homework done, practicing sports or music, or reading
Visit www.commonsensemedia.org for more information on all these media!