2. Appropriate Age?
Social media has become a part of everyone’s daily lives. Almost every
one you meet is involved in social media in one way or another. Just
some examples are:
A Facebook profile
A Twitter account
A blogging site
YouTube
wikis
Instant messaging
But what is the appropriate age
to introduce our children to
this phenomenon? And does it
have a positive or negative
impact on their lives?
3. Interesting Facts
22% of teenagers log onto social media sites more than
10 times a day
Out of the 20 million Facebook users, 7.5 million of
those are under the age of 13.
24% of teens use a gaming console for internet access
69% of teens have their own computer
75% of teenagers own a cell phone
25% of them use them for social media
54% of them use them for texting
24% of them use them instant messaging
4. How many children do you have?
SURVEY What is their ages?
I sent a survey out to 8
parents that I know.
In this survey, 5
questions were asked
4
3
about children and
2
social media. 1
0
0 - 3 yrs old4 - 6 yrs old7 - 9 yrs old - 12 yrs old + yrs old
10 13
Total of 8 parents & 12 children
involved
5. Survey
Does your child have a Facebook profile? Is your child a part of any other social
networks (ie MySpace)?
Facebook profile? Other social networks
20%
Yes Twitter
50% 50%
No Others
80%
6. Survey
Does your child have a cell phone with internet connections?
42% Yes
58% No
Does your child instant message/BBM/text message? Is this with you or friends?
42% Yes 43% Parents
58% No 57% Friends
7. Survey
Does your child blog? If yes, what site does he/she use.
Everyone I survey said no to this question.
Does your child watch videos on YouTube? Does your child upload videos onto
YouTube?
Watch YouTube Upload videos?
videos
Yes 25% Yes
No 75% No
Does your child use photosharing applications such as Flickr?
42% Yes
58% No
8. Survey
Does your child participate in any gaming sites or
virtual worlds such as Club Penguin or World of 33%
Yes
Warcraft?
No
67%
Do you know if any social media tools are being used in your child’s school?
8%
Yes
54% 38% No
Unsure
9. Survey
Do you feel like you are as digital savvy as your child?
25% Yes
75% No
Do you think social media has a positive or negative influence on our children? Comments
Comments
o Children don’t understand the implications of social media or the
dangers
o Children should be outside playing more
33% Positive o Depends on their age
o The potential for a negative influence is out there at all times, but for
67% Negative
the most part it is a positive influence for my children due to the value
of information
o As parents, we have the option & right to access our child’s phone or
computer to see what they are up to!
10. PROS & CONS TO SOCIAL
MEDIA
A look at both sides
11. Social media does have some positive attributes.
PROS Social media gives children and teenagers the ability to
socialize and communicate in a setting that is not intimating
Socialization
to them. Jordan aka Doctor Mad Science is one of these
children. He is a child with autism and posts science
Communication experiments on YouTube. In the end this has made him a
more confident child. Check out one his experiments:
Accessing Health http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxPDrUqR4iI
Information
Having the ability to access health information at their
Educational Tool fingertips is a great asset. Children or teenagers can go online
and chat in forums with others that may be experiencing the
Writing Skills same issue. In the end, they realize they are not alone in what
they may think is an embarrassing situation.
With the aid of social media, teachers are able to foster
collaboration and discussion among their students thus
enriching their learning experience.
12. Social Media does have cons to it and as a parent you must
CONS ensure that your children are aware of these issues
Cyber bullying and Online Harassment are a few of the major issues
Depression to watch out for when taking part in any social media. The outcomes
of this is not pretty; it can lend to depression, severe isolation and
Cyber bullying perhaps even suicide.
Sexting Sexting has also become a huge issue. Nearly 20% of teens have
admitted to sending or posting seminude to nude pictures or videos
Online of themselves.
Harassment While a child’s communication can be great online, their
communication when dealing with someone face-to-face may not be.
No Face-to-Face This can cause issues when going for a job interview, being at social
Communication gatherings or in their own personal relationships.
Privacy Issues Children need to be aware of all privacy issues and what type of
digital footprint they can be leaving behind. Full
names, addresses, phone numbers, etc... have to not be included on
any profile , blog, or account that is available to the public.
13. My Advice
Just remember that it is
up to you as the parent
to set limits for your
child and their use of
social media. It is my
advice that you stay up
to date with the latest
technologies and social
media trends. Make
sure to talk with your
child about privacy and
what kind of digital
footprint they want to
make. Social media is Check out this YouTube video about the Dos and Donts
here to stay and its up when using social networks
to you, as the parent, to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqezbib
decide whether or not 5qpQ&feature=related
to educate your child
about it.
