Social Networking

A social network is an online platform that allows a user to connect with people, upload information and content and share experiences about their lives. It is a brilliant way of keeping in contact with friends and family who may live near or far. An example of a social network is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tik Tok and YouTube.

What do young people need to be aware of?

Social networks require their users to upload personal information to make their page unique to them. Personal information is classed as any information that is personal to that individual. For example a full name is personal information, DOB, school name, email address, interests, and photographs. People can build up an image of a person quite quickly or can figure out where they are located by giving away personal information.

It is important that students know how much personal information is okay to give away. Names are okay but it is recommended that a made up surname or middle name is used as a surname to safeguard their identity. The day of the birthday is okay but not the year. Some students make up an age but this doesn’t make them any safer, in fact can place them at greater risk.

Why might it be dangerous to keep location settings open?

With regards to location settings it is important that children are aware of the implications of tagging their locations and allowing people to know where they are. The obvious risk is people going to the same locations to meet up with them, sometimes unbeknown to them, they have allowed somebody to know that information. Location settings can be altered within the settings on people’s individual devices and within the social networks themselves. It is necessary to ensure the settings are correct within each because sometimes one overrides the decision of the other.

Who should I be friends with on social networks?

‘Friends/followers’ should be people you have met, face to face in the real world. Friends are people that we talk to on a regular basis and people who we socialise with. A friend isn’t someone who you have just met online and think they look ‘alright’. Friends online should be the same people that we are friends with in the real world and it’s for young people to question whether or not the would talk to that person in the real world. - If not, to not befriend them. if you see anything that makes you feel unconformable in any way, please share with a trusted adult at home or in school.

Parent Information

It's important that children and young people only access age appropriate content and the adults at home have oversight of this, ensuring that where necessary privacy settings are in place. However this needs to be balanced with allowing your child to have a level of autonomy, which can build trust.

What is a trend/how can social networking facilitate trends and how can these be dangerous?

Trends are events, videos, photographs, challenges that have become popular through social networks like ‘the ice bucket challenge’. However some trends are unhealthy and dangerous. If young people become aware of these trends they should raise them with the eSafety representative in school and are encouraged to not engage with them.