Social Media SafetySocial Media Safety

Manchester Township Manchester Township

Middle SchoolMiddle School

Guidance DepartmentGuidance Department

2014-20152014-2015

Kik SafetyKik Safety

  Kik is an instant messaging app that is similar to texting but users have Kik is an instant messaging app that is similar to texting but users have multiple options of talking with individuals, with groups and within a social multiple options of talking with individuals, with groups and within a social networking environment. Users can also use Kik to send photos and files networking environment. Users can also use Kik to send photos and files and send greeting cards. It combines texting with a social network.and send greeting cards. It combines texting with a social network.

Users are supposed to be age 13 or older. This is because it is not compliant Users are supposed to be age 13 or older. This is because it is not compliant with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) requirements of with COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) requirements of specific features for a website designed for children, meaning those 12 and specific features for a website designed for children, meaning those 12 and under. Kik itself states, "Children under the age of 13 are prohibited from under. Kik itself states, "Children under the age of 13 are prohibited from having a Kik account by the Kik Terms of Service." The site has no age having a Kik account by the Kik Terms of Service." The site has no age verification.verification.

Because of the above, Kik does not have parental controls.Because of the above, Kik does not have parental controls. What if your kid is on Kik and you want them off? Parents of kids who are What if your kid is on Kik and you want them off? Parents of kids who are

under age 13 who have a Kik account must submit a deactivation request to under age 13 who have a Kik account must submit a deactivation request to Kik via emailing with the subject line 'Parent Inquiry'. Kik then sends the Kik via emailing with the subject line 'Parent Inquiry'. Kik then sends the parent a deactivation request form, which can be returned to Kik for parent a deactivation request form, which can be returned to Kik for processingprocessing..

Kik Safety PrecautionsKik Safety Precautions

Ask.fm SafetyAsk.fm Safety

Ask.fm is a social networking platform where Ask.fm is a social networking platform where users create profiles with pictures and users create profiles with pictures and information about themselves.information about themselves.

Other users ask questions, but he/she does not Other users ask questions, but he/she does not have to be member.have to be member.

Many questions are sexual which can result in Many questions are sexual which can result in an online relationship or exchange of pictures.an online relationship or exchange of pictures.

Ask.fm cont.Ask.fm cont.

Users must be 13 to join the site.Users must be 13 to join the site. Inappropriate questions and/or users can be Inappropriate questions and/or users can be

reported or blocked.reported or blocked. Please check your child’s Ask.fm account and Please check your child’s Ask.fm account and

help him/her select the appropriate safety help him/her select the appropriate safety settings so your child limits who they answer settings so your child limits who they answer questions from, including anonymous users.questions from, including anonymous users.

Instagram Safety Instagram Safety

Instagram is a free, photo sharing mobile application. Instagram is a free, photo sharing mobile application. Instagram allows you to apply filters and effects to photos Instagram allows you to apply filters and effects to photos you've taken on your mobile device and then share them with you've taken on your mobile device and then share them with others. Other users can then comment on and like shared others. Other users can then comment on and like shared photos.photos.

Why is it so popular? Instagram makes it easy to apply effects to Why is it so popular? Instagram makes it easy to apply effects to photos and then share them with others.photos and then share them with others.

Age Requirements: To have an account, users must be 13 years Age Requirements: To have an account, users must be 13 years old or older by registering an email address and selecting a old or older by registering an email address and selecting a username. Children under 13 are not allowed to have Instagram username. Children under 13 are not allowed to have Instagram accounts. accounts.

Parents, there is nothing preventing children under 13 from Parents, there is nothing preventing children under 13 from opening accounts on their own.opening accounts on their own.

InstragramInstragram Privacy: When an Privacy: When an Instagram account is Instagram account is

first created, everything first created, everything is public.  That means is public.  That means that anyone can view that anyone can view

photos your child posts photos your child posts and "follow" your child's and "follow" your child's

account and updates. account and updates.  To limit who can see  To limit who can see your photos to just your photos to just

those who follow you, those who follow you, make your account make your account

private by turning the private by turning the "Photos are private" "Photos are private"

switch ON. Once switch ON. Once private, anyone who private, anyone who

wants to see your wants to see your photos on Instagram photos on Instagram will need to send a will need to send a

"follow request", which "follow request", which you can then either you can then either approve or deny.  approve or deny.  

Geotagging lets people know Geotagging lets people know where and when you took a where and when you took a

photo or video.  In Instagram, photo or video.  In Instagram, you take a photo and add it to you take a photo and add it to your Photo Map, anyone can your Photo Map, anyone can

see where the photo was see where the photo was taken. If you are a private taken. If you are a private

user, only approved followers user, only approved followers will be able to see where the will be able to see where the photo was taken. For places photo was taken. For places that can compromise your that can compromise your

privacy and safety, like your privacy and safety, like your home or places you frequent, home or places you frequent, you might want to  consider you might want to  consider

removing the location removing the location information from your photos. information from your photos.

If you'd like to prevent If you'd like to prevent someone from seeing your someone from seeing your photos on Instagram, you photos on Instagram, you

can block them from can block them from viewing your photos or viewing your photos or

searching for your searching for your Instagram account.Instagram account.

How to Protect Your Child on How to Protect Your Child on InstagramInstagram

Addressing Online Concerns Addressing Online Concerns with your Childwith your Child

Honesty & open communication about online issues, Honesty & open communication about online issues, safety and encounters.safety and encounters.

Ask questions such as: Ask questions such as:

Have you experienced cyber bullying?Have you experienced cyber bullying?

Have you received sexual advances?Have you received sexual advances?

If you sense your child is not comfortable speaking to If you sense your child is not comfortable speaking to you about online issues, please recruit a friend or you about online issues, please recruit a friend or family member who can help.family member who can help.

When to Get HelpWhen to Get Help

If your child’s behavior changes at home or If your child’s behavior changes at home or school, you should talk to them.school, you should talk to them.

If you notice disinterest in their normal activities If you notice disinterest in their normal activities or their sleep and eating patterns are impacted.or their sleep and eating patterns are impacted.

If you notice your child is no longer friends with If you notice your child is no longer friends with the same group or becomes withdrawn. the same group or becomes withdrawn.

Internet Safety ResourcesInternet Safety Resources

School CounselorSchool Counselor Private counselor or psychologistPrivate counselor or psychologist Federal Government site: StopBullying.govFederal Government site: StopBullying.gov National Crime Prevention Council, National Crime Prevention Council,

www.Ncpc.org