Are you and your kids social... Online?
Social Networking Sites
Social networking sites are among the fastest-growing destinations in the online world with adults and children alike flocking to use sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and others in droves. With some sites logging millions of daily users, keeping children (and their parents) safe isn’t always easy.
Using Social Networking Sites and Protecting Yourself from Malware and Other Online Threats
Networking sites such as Facebook offer an excellent way for kids to communicate with each other, their schools, extracurricular programs and more. When used with caution, these sites can provide entertainment, enjoyment and even serve as a valuable communication link for kids, their friends, family and communities. When used without care, however, they can fast become dangerous places that can expose teens and tweens to identity theft and online predators.
Children and parents can navigate social media sites safely if they keep a few things in mind. Here are some tips that can help keep the entire family safe while ensuring the benefits of social networking sites can be enjoyed:
- Teach children to never post private information and to ensure any photographs shared are not inappropriate or misleading
- Set children’s profiles to “private” settings, which means only accepted “friends” can view what is posted. Both photos and conversation streams should be set on private
- Make sure children understand that information, once posted, can be stored on the PCs and Internet histories of others, which means even if the files are removed by the child, they could remain accessible to others.
- Monitor children’s activities on social media sites and be sure to only allow “friends” that are known to you or the child.
- Teach children to avoid spam and phishing attacks on social networking sites. This is becoming a common problem with messages often containing links to phishing sites that might install malware or seek to entice the sharing of personal information that can be used for identity theft.
- Talk to children about the stranger danger that exists online. Make sure tweens and teens understand the rules in regard to friends and family only. Keep tabs on who has been added to their “friends” list and make sure people are truly known to kids.
- Use Internet security protection programs at all times when surfing social media sites. These can help prevent the inadvertent downloading of spyware, keystroke loggers and other malicious files.
Social networking sites offer an online community that kids can tap into for entertainment, enjoyment and even learning. Helping them navigate this world safely does require some dedication.