Social media and your tweens
SOME parents see popular social media site
as the only online medium they need to monitor or shield their children from. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Social media is not inherently bad and can actually have many benefits; however, it also has the potential to be dangerous to users, especially children.So it is important for parents to monitor the sites their children use and are more likely to create accounts for, especially tweens (11 and 12-year-olds) who are still at an impressionable age.Some of these sites include WhatsApp, Pixagram, Instagram, Musical.ly, Kik, Snapchat, Tumblr, Live.ly, Whisper and Meet Me.According to Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon-Harrison, contrary to what many adults believe, Facebook and Twitter are not really popular among tweens; instead they are more interested in the sites listed above.“I know Musical.ly is a big hit with tweens, as it marries popular music and their abilities to lip sync and share their abilities within their groups,” she said.Gordon-Harrison pointed out, however, that with everything there is good and evil, so in the case of social media, parents need to ensure that the content being shared and viewed is not putting their children in a sexually inappropriate light or exposing them to predators.“Limit the platforms they join and the time spent on the platforms. Predators may be out there reaching out to them, asking them to share certain content that can put them in harm’s way. Keep on top of things and let your children know that you know what they’re doing and that you’re interested in what they’re doing.“Children tend to be more responsible when they know that mom and dad will engage them about what’s going on in their social media interactions, or when they know that mom and dad will go and check. Don’t see it [social media] as forbidden; you need to engage your children on these issues and be there in the space, so if someone should interest them in a new site, ensure you’re also in the realm, monitoring the activities,” Gordon-Harrison said.Note that many of the apps require a minimum age limit of 13, but this has not stopped some youngsters who merely change their birthdates to sign up.Below are the details of some of the less parent monitored apps that interest tweens: Pixagram:The application allows users to customise their own video and photo slide show with music, after which they can create a video and share wonderful everyday moments with anyone. Musical.ly:This is a performance and video-sharing social network that mostly features teens lip syncing to famous songs, but also includes some original song writing and singing. Users are called ‘musers’, and a big deal is placed on gaining followers and fans. Most tweens are seeking approval, and that may give them the impetus to seek out more followers. Kik:Also a free texting app, Kik can pose danger as it allows communication with strangers who share their Kik user names to find people to chat with. It has been allegedly used in high-profile crimes such as the murder of a 13-year-old girl in Virginia who reportedly used the app to connect with an 18-year-old man. It has also been suspected in a child pornography case. The app also has a community blog which allows users to submit photos of themselves. Snapchat:This messaging app allows users to put a time limit on the pictures and videos they send before they disappear. Most teens use the app to share goofy or embarrassing photos without the risk of them going public, but those receiving can take a screen shot of the snap. Also, it makes sexting seem harmless, as it can encourage teens to share raunchy images. Tumblr:It’s a streaming scrapbook of text, photos, and/or videos and audio clips. Users create ‘tumblings’ and can follow the ‘tumblings’ of others that can be seen by anyone if made public. However, pornographic content is easily accessible.Live.ly:Like all live streaming services, this exposes children to oversharing content and having conversations with people they do not know. It is associated with Musical.ly, its parent app, so tweens who use Musical.ly have a built-in account. Whisper:Dubbed a social “confessional” app, this allows users to make spontaneous posts, usually whatever is on their minds, along with an image. It is often sexual in nature — people may confess anything from insecurity to substance abuse. It is anonymous, but it encourages users to exchange personal information in the meet-up section of the app.
