“Content is fire, social media is gasoline.”
Social media is a platform where people interact with each other and is quick and transparent form of communication and allows people to express their views to others. It is a source of communication for the people as posting letters is very time consuming. Some of the few sites are very popular among the teenagers of this generation such as Face book, Instagram, WhatsApp, Tumblr, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat etc.
How can teenagers use social media smartly?
While creating your account you should keep in mind to fill in minimum details. The next step is to secure it and preventing it from hackers by setting a strong password. You may use a password manager to manage all your passwords. Also, your password should include numbers, symbols, upper case, and lower case and should contain minimum 12 characters. But the problem is memorizing your password. You may create a sentence like for example, ‘I live in Delhi and then I shifted to Pune’ to ‘IliDLatistPNQ’ as your password. In this way you will be able to secure your account with a strong password.
Try not to log in your account on other person’s phone. Use your phone or your family’s phone instead. Never save your account log in details in any device. Do not discuss your personal account details with anyone. Also never use your social media accounts on public networks. This may leak your information. Try not to turn on your location while using any application or accessing a webpage. Do not tag your live locations as any of your followers might take advantage of it and you may get into trouble and regret later.
Key points to remember while using social media
Red Flag Behavior
Be cautious when communicating with people you don’t know in person. Don’t let them send you any kind of inappropriate messages. You should block them and report them. If they continue reaching you from other sites, tell your elders without hesitating. Don’t be afraid of them even if they are your close ones.
Prevent Grooming
Don’t let anyone flatter you or send you gifts. Never discuss about adult subjects with strangers. They would try grooming you by asking you to keep secrets or ask you to share revealing images. They may blackmail you for this or might turn you against your family and friends.
Chat Room Safety
Never disclose private information in chat rooms. Be careful about how and when you meet people in person and about acting on the advice of people trying to pursue your basic beliefs or ideologies. Always keep in mind that the online ‘friends’ are always strangers. Don’t hesitate to block people you don’t want to chat with. Take action against them if you think that your friends are at risk. Report people breaking the rules provided by the chat room provider.
Naming Account Differently
Keep your personal information secret while completing your profile or when chatting online (Name, Address, Email, Phone no., Mobile no., Age, Gender etc.) even if they ask. Name yourself differently by using random names like theunknownsoul, risingstar, delhimate98 etc.
Addiction
Social media addiction is a behavioural addiction that is defined by being overly concerned about social media, driven by an uncontrollable urge to log on to or use social media, and devoting so much time and effort to social media that it impairs other important life areas. It has an effect directly on brain and leads to emotion symptoms.
Think About What You Post
Posting any kind of irrelevant picture may get you into trouble later on. Even the people you consider friends may use your picture for different purposes and you might face problems later on. Use profile guard while posting profile on face book and adapt other methods to safe guard your pictures.
Read Between The ‘Lines’
You must be aware of what some people are trying to say. Some of them are really nice while some of them act nice to you trying to get something. Flattering or supportive messages may be more about manipulation than friendship.
THE BANE—Social Media
• Spending too much time online and being disconnected from the real world.
• Becoming victim of online bullying.
• Damaging your online reputation and sharing your personal information online.
• Being harassed or annoyed by someone you don’t want attention from.
• Becoming victim of online spam or having reduced self esteem.
Social media AS A BOON for teenagers
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Joining in on group chats or conversations and have fun
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Learning about current events and staying up to date with online content.
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Meeting or chatting to new people online when not having anything to do or feeling bored.
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Feeling like they might miss out something if they aren’t always up to date with social media
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They feel less isolated and develop better social skills
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They learn about new cultural and societal ideas and issues
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Taking to friends online and creating a strong bond with them.
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They become more creative and share their ideas with their friends
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They become more independent and learn about world events and current affairs.
I would end by asking you whether the likes and comments you get on social media are important or your safety? It completely depends on you which option would you choose?
Now, I would like to end up my blog by adding another famous quote that follows. I would love to hear safety guideline safety hacks that you follow and comments in the comments box below. This is my first blog, hope you like it.
Don't use social media to impress people, use it to impact people.
Happy reading!
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