Social Media
As defined by Wikipedia:
Facebook - is an online social networking services. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal file, add other users as friends, exchange messages, and receive automatic notifications when they update their profile. Additionally, users may join common-interest user groups, organized by workplace, school or college, or other characteristics, and categorize their friends into lists such as "People From Work" or "Close Friends". Twitter - is an online social networking and micro-blogging service that enables users to send and read "tweets", which are text messages limited to 140 characters. Registered users can read and post tweets but unregistered users can only read them. Ask.fm - is a Latvia-based social networking website where users can ask other users questions, with the option of anonymity. It is a rival of Form Spring. In 2012 and 2013, the site became associated with numerous instances of cyberbullying, some of which led to suicides, particularly in teens. The site has courted controversy by not having workable reporting, tracking or parental control processes, which have become the norm on other social media websites. Instagram - is an online photo-sharing, video-sharing and social networking service that enables its users to take pictures and videos, apply digital filters to them, and share them on a variety of social networking services, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Flickr. A distinctive feature is that it confines photos to a square shape, similar to Kodak and Polaroid images. Users are also able to record and share short videos lasting for up to 15 seconds. Snapchat - is a photo messaging application developed by Stanford University students. Using the app, users can take photos, record videos, add text and drawings, and send them to a controlled list of recipients. These sent photographs and videos are known as "Snaps". Users set a time limit for how long recipients can view their Snaps (the range is from 1 to 10 seconds), after which they will be hidden from the recipient's device and deleted from the Snapchat server. Kik - is a texting app. It is made so that you don't have to use phone numbers, just user names. It does require wifi. You can see when the person you are talking to is typing because it literally says "[persons name] is typing". You can also do group conversations with several people at a time. It is simpler than normal texting. You get a profile picture when your texting so whenever you send a text is has your face next to your message. Tinder - Please note that teens are using this app to "hook up". Using Faceook profiles, Tinder gathers users' basic information and analyzes users' social graph to match potential candidates who are most likely to be compatible based on geographical location, number of mutual friends and common interests. Based on the results of potential candidates, the app allows the user to anonymously like or pass them. If two users like each other then it results in a "match" and Tinder introduces the two users and opens a chat. Omegle - is a free online chat website that allows users to communicate with strangers without registering. The service randomly pairs users in one-on-one chat sessions where they chat anonymously using the handles "You" and "Stranger". In March 2009 the site introduced a video conferencing feature. The site now provides a mobile application that lets users chat with strangers from mobile devices. WhatsApp Messenger - is a proprietary, cross-platform instant messaging subscription service for smartphones. In addition to text messaging, users can send each other images, video, and audio media messages as well as their location using integrated mapping features. Yik Yak - A smart phone app that allows users to post messages anonymously, and was initially intended for university/college students. Users can post short blurbs of text, but these “yaks” don’t have any name or user name attached to them. The messages can be read by the 500 "yakkers" who are nearest the writer. The app is free but the writer can can pay to distribute messages to more people over a wider geographic area. Voxer - is an instant messaging app that allows you to talk to your friends for free. You can use Voxer if you have an iOS (iPhone / iPod touch / iPad) or an Android device. You can download the app via voxer.com. It is a Walkie Talkie application for smartphones. Voxer lets you send instant audio, text and photo messages to your friends. Messages stream live as you talk and your friends join you live or listen later. Formspring Spring.me (formerly known by Formspring and its full URL formspring.me ) - is an interest-based social Q&A website, and created to allow users to relate their ideas and opinions on any topic. Formspring allows its users to set up a profile page, follow other users and ask questions. The questions and their given responses are then published on the user's profile page. Formspring is set up as a forum. Users can ask questions anonymously or they can be visibly sent from another Formspring account, depending upon the asker's preference. Users can choose to disallow anonymous questions and have the ability to block selected people from asking further questions. Tumblr - is a microblogging platform and social networking website. The service allows users to post multimedia and other content to a short-form blog. Users can follow other users' blogs, as well as make their blogs private. Much of the website's features are accessed from the "dashboard" interface, where the option to post content and posts of followed blogs appear. What to do
Having open discussions about the appropriateness of using social networking responsibly is key. There is proper “netiquette” to follow and guidelines need to be discussed and followed by the entire family. Best practise is to have all passwords for every social networking service and app your child has and check periodically.
Have an “end” to all electronics at the end of the day (9 or 10 p.m.). Sometimes turning the wifi off for the entire house is necessary. ALL devices (laptops, phones, Ipads, Ipods, etc.) should be removed from bedrooms at night and charged somewhere else in your home. No good conversations and clear thinking happen in the middle of the night. Consider not having data on your child's phone if they are under the age of 12. It's just not necessary. |
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