A Question of Safety {3 part series}

by Debbie Twomey on September 26, 2013

 

safe

As a social media manager I try to keep up with all the latest news and technology concerning Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms. One concern for parents is exposure (too much or even a little) and a question of safety for their children on Facebook. I have read the pros and cons and will share with you what I believe. 

One concern is for our children’s privacy when they come of age to either view or have their own social media accounts. At that point I certainly would ask how they feel about and respect their wishes. BUT and this is a huge BUT—have you read and seen what tweens and teens post on their pages? Have you seen what is allowed as far as language and sexual content is concerned? And how many parents do you know who are actually trying to limit what their young children post because it borders on vulgar.

Last Thursday I posted a photo to my business page that I shared from my personal page. I wasn’t trying to see what would happen, it was a cute photo of a little girl on the potty, working on a computer and I wrote-“multi tasking already.” Well, it was flagged by Facebook as nudity. You could see the side butt cheek and though it was done quite innocently, I did not disagree about taking it down. Now, my questions is; how are all these other people who post offensive and actual nudity getting away with it? Was it because it was my business page?

I have viewed many young adult’s pages and they make me blush so I question all the hype concerning a parent posting baby and toddler pictures. I am not offended by bathtub pictures but I do realize others may be and so they will remain private to my family only. I have seen graphic lyrics, ones that demean women and use very vulgar language. I have seen suggestive photos on a 12 year olds Facebook page—you know the ones with the tongues hanging out or girls kissing their girlfriends.   I have seen more cleavage and butt cracks on these pages than on a college campus. I have seen posts that curl my toes written by some 12-14 year olds and wonder are their parents monitoring their pages or what?!

I have heard the criticism and the fears about posting photos of my child. Any pervert could get a hold of these and we all know that they do with them. Did you ever stop to think that true predators and perverts have access to all of our information in ways we could not imagine—even if we think we are being very private? Did you know they have their very own websites and chat rooms where all sorts of depravity is welcomed and they have their own language? Most are not trolling the social media sites for something they can access anytime and in even more graphic detail.

Now a new term has surfaced—“oversharenting.” I know I would be considered guilty of this one; a parent or grandparent oversharing too much information about their kids—Online. http://healthland.time.com/2013/09/06/should-parents-post-pictures-of-their-kids-on-facebook/#ixzz2ehY4nZ6b

Some parents feel nothing should be posted about their child so that they could remain anonymous. But, in truth, it is not necessary for parents to post a single word about their child and somehow that information can still be accessed. Anonymity is an illusion. In this digital era it would be virtually impossible to prevent some type of information from being accessed—regardless if it is a child or not.

They could post a select few for social and familial purposes and just be watchdogs for their own social media sites. Or they post no pictures and hope none slip through on friends or family’s pages and somehow this will totally protect their child. I believe there is a happy medium for those who are truly concerned about posting any photographs of their children.

Amy Webb is concerned that this generation of kids will become targets while Andrew Leonard believes “We are strengthening the ties that bind a larger community of family and friends together” by sharing our kids’ lives with a select few on social media. We know our children will eventually become part of that social media frenzy and be posting their own photos and information so perhaps we can choose to post wisely to set an example."

I know, in my situation, so many on Facebook recognize my granddaughter and I find comfort in this because she is well known and easily recognized should something happen and she disappears from my sight. Do I believe this is an absolute safety net—of course not? But I know enough to understand complete security is impossibility.

 

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One day McKenna will have her own social media accounts and at that time I will allow her to decide if she wishes for me to remove some of the photos I once cherished and shared. I will ask her if she feels I shared too much and if so, I will respect her wishes. Yes, that information is already out there but hopefully I have honored her now and shown her how much she was cherished and loved and not exploited. Way too many naysayers tend to view all things they do not agree with as potential trouble instead of how things were positively intended.

 

"I have dedicated my life to the care and welfare of children. I feel privileged to share what I have learned with you. I am also committed to continuously learning.iStock_000004213744XSmall  I will keep informed of the latest information in parenting children from newborns to teens and pass it on to all of you.”   I will also use that same passion to help you create a dynasty generate increases in your business with straightforward and specialized media managing skills that guarantee your connection and scope will grow. Keep up to date reading our posts and discover valuable insights that can make parenting and succeeding in the business of the blogger– the most exciting adventure. (Debbie Twomey) https://www.facebook.com/debbietwomeySMM
 
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{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Kassandra September 26, 2013 at 6:03 pm

Nicely done Deb! I have a teenager, I do monitor his activity, we have an understanding…if he posts information about himself that I think is inappropriate or if he posts anything he would not say in front of his family, he will no longer have a facebook page! Unfortunately humans have a tendancy to turn many fun and innocent things into something bad!

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