Students Should Understand the Power of Social Media: With more than half of the world now using social media (smartinsights.com), it is easier for anyone to find out anything about a person, especially if they willingly post it.

Why Students Should Understand the Power of Social Media!

This is why it is crucial for students to understand the risks associated with using social media and why they need to know social media etiquette.
 
The most important thing to remember when using social media is to keep their personal information to themselves. Students are a harder target if their full name, current location, where they live, and what school they attend are unknown. Social media can be a great way to share life with friends and family, especially those who live far away. But it can also put students at an increased risk of stalking if they give a stranger too much private information. Make sure students are cautious and selective about who they allow to follow them or who they share personal information with.
 
Remember everything is traceable, so they have to keep that in mind when posting pictures or commenting. They leave a footprint behind that lasts forever. Anything they do not want anyone to know should not be posted. This includes things like pornography, sexting, political beliefs, hate speech, etc. Even if they delete the post, the information can be found deep inside the internet. They need to be very aware of the consequences posts may have in the future.
 
Social media is a great source of entertainment and a wonderful way to stay in touch with friends and relatives. Without proper etiquette in place, it can be a source of hurt and danger. Students should be taught safety measures and good decision making when they are first introduced to social media. They also should be monitored until the parent feels they are educated and responsible to handle social media without supervision.

We can’t stop social media, but we can educate on it.