Social media platforms offer a way for individuals to maintain connections with their family and friends, share photos, and exchange thoughts. However, if children do not exercise caution, social networking can be risky. Pearson points out that there has been a significant increase in young people using these sites over the last five years. To ensure their child’s safety online, parents should monitor their social media accounts since the public areas of these networks are unpredictable.
The information shared on social media platforms such as Faceable and Twitter is always public and permanent, even when privacy settings are adjusted. Both Faceable and Twitter store all posts in their databases indefinitely. The widespread practice of sharing information without consequences is highly prevalent. Younger individuals, specifically children and teenagers, may not possess the cognitive abilities to recognize online hazards or make secure choices (Hopkins). Consequently, adolescents are susceptible to potential harm while engaging with social media due to their limited capacity for self-control and susceptibility to peer influence (Pearson).
Children’s safety on social networking sites is a concern due to the potential exposure to inappropriate content and the risk of being coerced into sharing explicit pictures. To protect them from such misconduct, parents should closely monitor their child’s social media activity. The progress of technology has made bullying easier, resulting in victims experiencing prolonged online harassment without any means of escape. Sadly, a twelve-year-old girl from Florida tragically ended her own life after reportedly being bullied by two female classmates.
Two young individuals have tragically lost their lives due to cyber bullying. In one case, a thirteen-year-old girl took her own life after enduring continuous online harassment. Similarly, a fourteen-year-old boy from New York also ended his life following over a year of bullying. Both the perpetrators and victims displayed immaturity in handling these situations. It is believed that if parents had monitored their children’s internet activities, these tragic events could have been avoided. Parents could have offered support and guidance by actively engaging in their children’s responses and behaviors regarding such matters.
Pedophiles and sexual predators view children as vulnerable targets. These adept online stalkers understand that children and teenagers frequently make impulsive and imprudent choices (Hopkins). Kids are naïve and unaware, which makes it challenging for them to identify signs of danger. Through the internet, these cyber criminals fabricate false profiles, deceitfully representing their age and using counterfeit images, all with the aim of establishing trust with young individuals (Hopkins). If children do not exercise caution regarding the information they disclose online, predators can effortlessly ascertain their whereabouts.
It is important for parents to prioritize the protection of their children from potential online stalkers who take advantage of their lack of knowledge. However, some parents and children believe that monitoring teenagers’ social media accounts invades their privacy. These young individuals argue that they don’t need online supervision because they feel safe and think such incidents won’t happen to them. Without parental guidance, they may find it difficult to differentiate between right and wrong. Therefore, it is the responsibility of parents to provide guidance and ensure their children are heading in the right direction.
If parents let their children know that they are keeping an eye on their online activities, it should be seen as a way to protect them rather than spying. It is important to understand that young people may not fully grasp the real dangers posed by social media platforms. They often trust everything they are told and may post without considering the potential consequences. Adolescents struggle to determine what content is appropriate and lack the skills to handle complex situations. Additionally, they may not realize when cyber predators are targeting them. If all parents actively monitor their children’s internet usage, it would contribute to creating a safer online environment.
