Social Networking Etiquette You Need to Teach Your Children
As social networking becomes more and more popular, teaching your children how to use these platforms in a respectful way is a must. Not only can they be an affordable or free advertising platform, but they can also be an excellent tool for staying connected with friends and family. But if they’re not used correctly, they can also damage relationships. Besides, they can also suffer from social media bully and even social media addiction. That’s why today, we’ll show you some social networking etiquette rules that your children need to know. Save your children now by teaching these rules to them.
Take Care of Digital Footprint
Social networking sites are an excellent way for your kids to stay connected with you, their friends, and their families. Still, it’s essential to be aware of the digital footprint they’re leaving behind. Once something is posted online, it’s there forever. So think twice before posting anything that could be considered embarrassing or offensive. Once it’s out there, we can’t take it back.
In the same vein, be careful about what personal information you share online. Social networking sites are a prime target for identity thieves, so being vigilant about the kinds of things we post is a must.
Make Use of Every App’s Privacy Settings
Hence, every app always has privacy settings. These should be used to ensure that only people who should see specific posts or photos are the ones who have access to them. That way, if there is something your children don’t want a specific person to see, they can restrict their access. It is an essential social media etiquette rule, especially for children, as they may not be aware of the implications of sharing certain things online.
Never Share Personal Information Online
It’s normal for children to want to share everything about themselves with their friends. Still, teaching them the importance of keeping certain information private is essential. This includes their home address, phone number, and email address. Once this information is out there, it can be almost impossible to take back. So if your children are ever asked for this information by someone they don’t know, they should learn to say no and report it to a trusted adult.
Check the Facts Before Sharing
Speaking of sharing news, sometimes it can be tempting to share something we’ve seen on social media without checking the facts first. But we must teach our children to discern the things they share. Just because something is on social media doesn’t mean it’s true. So before hitting that share button, make sure you take a minute to check the source and see if it’s credible.
These social networking etiquette rules are just a few things your children need to know to use these platforms safely and respectfully. By teaching them now, you can help them avoid some of the pitfalls of social media use. What other social media etiquette rules would you add to this list? Let us know in the comment below.…