One of Many Mom Fears (Beware of Social Media)

Dear Fellow Parents, please watch this video! Thank you Coby Persin for this eye-opening footage.

This video leaves me in fear of how easily accessible young children seem to be on Social Media. But the biggest impression I feel is heartbreaking sadness. I feel gutted along with these parents at the choices the young girls made for themselves--meeting up with a total stranger, answering the door without knowing who is on the other side, and getting in an unfamiliar car with unfamiliar people. It would be extremely dangerous and naive for any of us to say, "No, my child wouldn't do that."  I think we all want to feel that way.  We all want to believe that they will make the most sensible of choices when they go out into the world.  But they're also human beings trying to find their place in the world.  They are being befriended by seemingly "nice" people online. And who doesn't want to make friends or feel good when someone treats us nicely? Of course they want to meet this "cool" person--they're SO nice! I think maybe it feels more social to them than predatory--which is beyond scary.

As parents, we need to continually engage in open dialogue with our kids in regards to Social Media behavior. Not all is what it seems. Come to think of it, that refers to all aspects of life, not just with Social Media.

I have two sons, a 12 year old and a 9 year old, who are not active members of Social Media--fortunately for me, it's due to lack of interest. But they do have e-mails and YouTube accounts. And they both have easy access to the internet, privileged with their own computers.  But we do have family rules when it comes to computer/internet/social media usage:

• Computers are located in a communal area of the house.  It is out in the open for both the husband & I to monitor all activity.
• There is no "real privacy" on any web activity. The boys know that we can check up on their "history" at any time.  
• If and when they show interest in opening a Facebook, Twitter etc. profile, it will be heavily monitored by The Husband and I. And no, they can't "post whatever they want". 
• Open communication and dialogue about the dangers of Social Media. And they will say, "We know. We know." But guess what? I'll keep talking about it. I'll keep warning them about it. 

Ultimately, though, it will be up to the boys to make sound and wise decisions for themselves. We can not monitor them 24/7 especially as they get older. It makes me uneasy, but that's reality. I can only hope that all that nagging...uh...constructive dialogue about safety and wise choices have somehow seeped into their consciousness.  

I wish all parents the best of wishes when it comes to monitoring and policing their kids on Social Media.  It's a scary world out there.  And I don't have all the answers.  But let's all keep trying to protect our kids.  Keep doing our best. And kids, please, please be safe!

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