The last few days of summer have edged by and the school year has begun. The first bell brings a mix of excitement and trepidation. While your teen can control the supplies which have been bought, how her locker is arranged, and which outfits look best together, she is also facing a structured world that offers her little control when she steps foot onto the perfectly waxed floors of the school’s hallways.
Restricted by rules and teachers’ whims, teens don’t want another set of rules to follow. They are governed and micromanaged all day long. There are rules about what she can eat for lunch, how long she can take a restroom break, and where she sits in class. Besides the teachers’ rules, your teen also faces a strict social hierarchy that implements self-imposed rules on how to dress, who to sit with at lunch, how to style her hair and more.
Teens look for freedom from the oppressive atmosphere of school and turn to social media for an outlet. However, social media connects everyone on the Internet and everything your teen does online is broadcast on a global stage. The things your teen says, sends or snaps will linger in social media purgatory forever.
It’s hard for a teen to look forward to the future in “years” instead of “days,” but she needs to consider the impact social media could have on college scholarships and job applications. Inappropriate comments or selfies can come back to haunt her years later. It’s vital that parents set guidelines for social media this year so your teen doesn’t get schooled with a nasty reality check.
Start the year off with a fresh outlook on social media and remember these guidelines to “think before you share:”
1. Avoid posting illegal activities. It sounds simple, but keep illegal shenanigans off her wall for the world to see. Teens are notorious for pushing boundaries, trespassing, and experimenting with underage drinking. These can turn into documented cases with evidence – all thanks to social media.
2. Refrain from emotional posting. Breakups, relationship statuses, and heated moments are best left off of social media. If your teen needs to vent, encourage her to call a friend or talk to you.
3. Be conscious of cyberbullying. Teens are exposed to a lot of cruelty online. If she notices unkind remarks make sure she tells someone.
4. Avoid talking trash about other people, including teachers, parents, friends, and leaders. Grandma always said, “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.” One comment can have long-lasting negative consequences on relationships.
5. Avoid posting sensitive information online. Keep her vital statistics (social security number, address, class schedule, and more) off social media. Posting sensitive information invites predators to steal her identity or locate her. If you want to share class schedules or meet up with friends, send it privately in a text.
6. Limit friends to people you know. Remind her to only accept friend requests from people she knows. “Catfishing” is an example of why to limit your friend list.
7. Keep your language clean and appropriate. Inform your teen that you expect her to use respectful language on social media. Derogatory remarks and crude humor will reflect badly on her.
8. Privacy settings are not guaranteed to keep people from seeing your posts. People are notorious for taking screenshots and hacking passwords. Always post like someone will read it.
9. Never threaten violence. In this day and age, people take any threat seriously. Bypass suspensions and legal ramifications- avoid threatening talk.
10. Sometimes, have a face-to-face conversation. There are times when students just need to vent and talk. Encourage her to hangout with peers who can relate and lend an ear.
Sharpening social media etiquette skills can help your child succeed in and out of the classroom. Social media creates a mobile high school scene and reaches a new audience. Acknowledging a basic set of guidelines will avert pitfalls that could impact her high school career. As your teen heads back to start a new school year, take the time and remind her about the importance of social media etiquette.
Amy Williams is a former social worker, specializing in teen behavioral health. As a parent now, with two teenagers of her own, Amy is focused on spreading the word on positive parenting techniques and new technologies, particularly the combination of both topics. You can find her on Twitter @AmyKWilliams1 and on her website.
