Social Networking for Non-Techie Parents

By Mark Riley, M.Ed.Technology Coordinator

College of Health Sciences and Professions

Ohio University

Today’s Session Current Social Networking Trends

Sites and Apps You Need to Know

Tips for Parents/Foster Parents

Social Networking is more than just…

Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

“Our Parents are Ruining Facebook”

A Pew Research study found that

70% of teens have been

friend-ed on Facebook by their parents.

Current Social Networking Trends

Apps

Websites

Both Websites and Apps

Initially Designed for Adults

Chat Features with Media

What are the Benefits? Social Ties

Support

Connections

Self-Expression/Voice/Sense of self

Freedom

Access to information

Privacy

Social Networking is Good

But…

With Great Power comes Great Responsibility

Age Requirements Many sites/apps require that you be at least 13 years

old to sign up. Some even require that you be 18

The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act prevents companies from collecting data on children younger than 13.

However, this can be easily forged.

Sites/Apps You Need to Know About

See if you can guess what these apps are known for.

SnapChat

Chat through Pictures

Ask.fm

A Wide Open Discussion Forum

Voxer

Walkie-Talkie App

Vine

Chatting Through Short Videos

Tumblr

Easy Access to Pictures

Scary Social Networking Sites/Apps

Icon Hiding Apps – Apps that hide icons

Kik – An incognito texting app

Tinder – Anonymous Dating App

Creepy – Captures data from posted pics

Pheed – Live feeds of location

Oovoo – Similar to Skype or FaceTime

Video Games Don’t forget about video games!

Many of today’s games have a social networking component to help link you with friends.

Ability to chat, send images, share info.

Things to Know About Digital Pics

There is no such thing as Deleted

Pictures do not Disappear or Go Away

Geo-location and Time Stamps are on ALL pics

Think about what’s in the background of the pic

How Can You Keep Up? Must do a little research.

Websites for Parents

Talk with all children.

Talk with other parents.

Keep in Mind: Teens will always find a new platform that adults don't

know about yet.

Tips for Parents Share your App Store account (until 18)

Be the parent for other children. If you see something online, alert the other parents.

No underage Facebooking (This goes for all Social Networking)

Talk about the risks

Tips for Parents Check the Privacy Settings

Set Ground Rules and Post Them (offline)

Devices turned off/confiscated at night

Set a good example of Social Media Use

Address the Online Reputation

Always Keep in Mind: It’s illegal for children under 13 to join social networking

sites.

Parenting the Digital Space

A smartphone is a gateway to the Internet

There will always be something they don’t know about yet.

Communication on social networking sites

should be…

Safe, Productive, Positive