social media: risks and benefits
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Social Media: Risks and Benefits
Steve Young Chief Technology Officer, Judson ISD
Social Media
Social Media • Benefits of Social Media • Risks Of Social Media • Tips to Minimize the Risks • Tips to Stay Safe • What Can A Parent Do? • Kids and Social Media by the
Numbers • Great Resources for More
Information Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJE2cWlsF1o/UCoryMepSLI/AAAAAAAAACE/E_J8hsGr7jM/s1600/iPhone+Social.PNG
Benefits of Social Media
• Increased communication is beneficial
• Helps build social relationships – Social media does not usually
replace normal relationships, rather it augments them
• Allows people to stay in touch • Allows people to network • Helps build communities
– People can find support amongst those with similar interests, problems, or issues
Benefits of Social Media
• Social media can be very empowering
• It is a fantastic way to learn • Often teaches collaboration • Allows users to create a very positive
image • Increasingly, teachers are leveraging
student interest in social media tools for instructional purposes
Risks of Social Media
• Can be addicting and/or distracting – Can interfere with homework and
sleep • Multi-tasking teens may not multitask
well • Communication can be used for
harmful reasons, just as it can be used for good ones – Bullying can happen online, just as it
can in person – Sexting
Teens Today
http://thetechnologicalcitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/student_multitasking4-300x200.jpg
http://www.wtrtrendrapport2012.nl/img/H5_2.jpg
Good read: “Is Multitasking Bad for Us?” http://goo.gl/qA0Hz
Risks of Social Media
• Very easy to speak and post, leaving a permanent trail of what was said or done – Can impact college admission, job
opportunities, and reputation – Can result in punishment at school
• Since posts are just made to a computer and not to a person, sometimes that changes the nature or tone of a post
Tips to Minimize the Risks of Online and Social Media Behavior • Remember to “Do unto others as you
would have them do unto you” – golden rule works as well on the Internet as it does anywhere else
• Never post embarrassing or compromising information or photos
• Ask how your parents, teacher, or employer might feel about what you have shared or posted online
Tips to Stay Safe
• Never post personal information online • Never share online credentials • Keep profiles private.
– Most social networks have privacy settings to adjust what is shared publicly
• Do not engage in chat with strangers • Use Safe Search Settings • Have children use age appropriate sites
What Can A Parent Do? • Nothing is better than being involved
with your children and keeping an eye on what they are doing online
• Learn about the tools and sites kids are using
• Evaluate sites and technologies for age appropriateness
• Set expectations and start out with limited access, granting more as child matures
• If needed, set time limits • It can be useful to keep bedrooms and/or
homework zones “E Free” – with no electronic distractions
What Can A Parent Do? • Consider requiring that your child friend you on
their social networks • Limit or restrict adult friending • You can purchase an online safety or social
media monitoring service, such as TrueCare, SafetyWeb, or Net Nanny.
• There is software available for cell phone monitoring & filtering, such as PhoneSheriff, but there are limitations
• You can user web filters for computers or activity tracking software – but device proliferation is making this less useful
• A better solution is to setup your wireless router to use OpenDNS to filter your internet connection: – http://www.opendns.com/home-
solutions/parental-controls/
Kids and Social Media by the Numbers
From http://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/socialmediasociallife-final-061812.pdf
Kids and Social Media by the Numbers
From http://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/socialmediasociallife-final-061812.pdf
Kids and Social Media by the Numbers
From http://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/socialmediasociallife-final-061812.pdf
Kids and Social Media by the Numbers
From http://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/socialmediasociallife-final-061812.pdf
Great Resources for More Information • Common Sense Media
– Use to gauge appropriateness of web sites, movies, etc.
– http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/parent-media-education
• Google Family Safety Center – http://www.google.com/goodtoknow/familysafety/
• ParentFurther – (Cyber)Bullying Resources: – http://www.parentfurther.com/high-risk-
behaviors/bullying/cyberbullying • American Academy of Pediatrics
– Compendium of resources and links to sites – http://safetynet.aap.org/
Questions & Discussion
Source: http://inforrm.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/social-media.jpg
