We have told you before it is a good idea to monitor your child’s digital communications. Between Facebook, Twitter and text messaging, there is a lot a child can be exposed to behind the privacy of a screen. We’ve recommended talking with your children about online etiquette and teaching them the potential dangers of oversharing online. We even suggest having your children’s passwords to occasionally monitor their social networking world.
According to an Associated Press article posted by AZ Family, this isn’t enough. With phone-based social networks popping up, it is easier for kids to find alternative avenues for sharing. Mobile-only applications like Instagram and Snapchat allow mass sharing of photos, the latter of which “self-destructs” the image seconds after it is opened. While teens may feel this is a safety net – that Snapchat will prevent private photos from being seen by unwanted eyes – there are still alternatives to forwarding or copying photos, such as screen shots.
Help your children prevent making choices they will ultimately forget by:
- Discussing what is appropriate to tell or show others
- Limiting cell phone use by restricting hours, taking phones away at bedtime
- Purchasing smaller data plans and limited text packages
- Ask your kids what their favorite mobile apps are and how they use them
- Regularly check what applications your child has downloaded onto their phone
