Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Vine, Twitter, LinkedIn, SnapChat, Foursquare, YouTube, Pintrest. I could keep going. There are over one-hundred social sites that catch not only our attention. But the attention of our children as well. They consume our time. For every minute/hour we spend on these sites/apps must be very important and productive. Because, we are exchanging a minute/hour of our life for it. But this blog today is not about the social media time exchange (that is for a later date).
Today's blog idea came from a Facebook debate between my thirteen year old daughter and myself. One on how fast and far a status and/or photograph will travel via social media in one twenty-four hour period.
I shared a photo. I asked for you ALL my "friends" to like and/or share it. In the first 12 hours this photo made it to almost all states (thousands of ...cities) within the USA, Japan, and Germany. Today will hit the 48-Hour mark and it is still going. It has traveled so fast. I've not been able to keep track of how far and fast. There is nothing I can do to stop it. Other than delete my account (the photo will still be out there, just not linkable to me). In this time frame in just a few clicks someone has access to where I work, go to church, where she attends school, even where I buy groceries or eat. This was even a big eye opener to me!
As parent I allow my children to have accounts to certain social site. I only have a few rules.
1. I must have the log-on and passwords to all of them. At all times.
2. They were subject to random online searches.
3. They were allotted a particular amount of time on these sites.
4. All pictures and status must reflect a uplifting Christian attitude and modesty
5. All safety features must be in place at all times. No, public posting. All must be accessible by friends, ONLY!
Very sweet short and simple rules to follow. However, breaking any of these rules would result in deactivation of the account. The time of account deactivation was dependent on the severity of the infraction. I thought I was being a safe mom. A good mom. I was protecting my children. Little did I truly understand about social media.
For starters when you have the location on for GPS purposes on your smart phone. These apps post your location even if you are unaware of it. Even when you a strict privacy settings in place if a "friend" likes a status, photo, check-in, etc.... It posts to their wall that they liked it. If they share it or you tag them in it, everyone can "see" it. Not to mention the infamous #hashtag. At this point it is no longer private at all. And little did I know your lap top comes with a location feature. This is turned on by you the very first time you start-up the lap top and set it up. (no not all of the lap tops have this feature). Therefore no matter how strict your privacy filter is, you are potentially allowing the whole world access to yours and/or your children's social media sites.
Before I challenge you I want to make it clear. I DO NOT think of it as bad parenting. Nor, am I calling you a bad parent if you allow your child/children to have these accounts. I think each family is unique and each family does things in their own way. And, what I am doing is what I think uniquely fits our family.
So, my challenge to you today as a parent, guardian, friend, aunt, uncle, grandparent etc...... Is how far are you will to let it go before you do something to protect your loved one. From predators and pedophiles, that seek out these children online. First watch the following video at www.takethislollipop.com
It will ask to access your Facebook page. If you chose to let your children watch. I suggest you do it one at a time. For the effect it must be logged into each account.
*Remember, safety is our first priority*
If you do this please give me feed back on what you think. I would appreciate all the feed back, I can get.
Thank you all for stopping by and reading, today's blog.
Remember God is great and coffee is your friend,
Blessings Hollie Kate.
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