Social media and online communication tools are widely used by teens to connect with friends and share information. 95% of teens ages 12-17 use the internet, and 78% have cell phones. Teens often text to communicate privately and while doing other activities. The most popular social media sites among teens are Facebook, used by 81% of teens, and Twitter, used by 24% of teens. While social media allows teens to connect, it also poses risks if private information is shared or they interact with strangers. It is important for parents to communicate with their teens about safely using social media.

1. What you need to know?
D. Klier
June 2015

2.  Online tools used to communicate & share
information and resources.
 Social media can include text, audio, video,
images, podcasts and other multimedia
communications.
 Basically provides a place for kids to hangout
together online!
 Definition source: About.com and Common Sense Media

4. 95% of teens
(12-17)
Online
78% of teens
(12-17)
Cell phones
(74%) of teens have
accessed the internet
through a mobile
device

5. 64%
of teens text
while in class
65%
of teens text
in the middle
of the night
60
Avg. number
of texts sent
by a typical
teen

6. Can text privately & secretly
Can text while doing something else
Don’t have to talk in person
Easier than calling
Saves voice minutes & cheaper than calling
Fast, fun…

7. Teens who use some kind of
social media
Teens using Facebook
Teens using Twitter2424%
81%

8. Create & customize profiles w/photos, videos, & info. about
yourself.
Friends can browse the profiles of other friends and write
messages on their pages.
Microblogging site- users post brief, 140-character messages
called "tweets”
Teens like to share quick tidbits about their lives w/friends.
Great for keeping up with what's going on in the world !
Users snap, edit, & share photos and 15-second videos.
Combines favorite Social Media site features sharing, seeing,
and commenting on photos!

9. Tumblr
• A cross between a blog and Twitter - a streaming scrapbook
of text, photos, and/or videos and audio clips
SnapChat
• Mobile app - lets users send and receive “self-destructing”
images. Sender specifies the viewing time (1-10seconds)
Vine
• Users create & post 6 second video clips
• Teens usually use Vine to create and share silly videos

10. 91% post a photo of themselves
71% post the name of their school
71% post the town where they live
92% post their real name
82% post their birth date
62% post their relationship status
24% post videos of themselves

11.  Communicate with your kids!
◦ Talk to kids about what they’re doing online & how they’re
getting online, who they’re talking to
 Go online
◦ Create accounts for yourself - See what kids can and can’t do
 Set some rules
◦ Limit online time and mobile device use
 Help with privacy settings
◦ Limit who can view their profile
 Limit What They Share
◦ Help them understand what should be private

12. Think before you post
Once it’s posted you can’t take it back
Follow the golden rule - Kindness counts
Nothing is private online
Assume everyone is watching
Avoid online sex talk
Talk to me if you’re uneasy about an online situation
Potential employers & college admissions may check

13.  Social & digital media communication is a
daily occurrence for most teens
 Face to face communication is preferred by
most teens
 More teens feel social media plays a positive
role in their lives vs. those that reporting a
negative role
According to a Common Sense Media Survey

14.  Strengthened relationships
 Increased their confidence
 Made them feel less shy
 Encouraged community participation
 For more facts check out the
Social Media, Social Life: How Teens View Their Digital Lives
A Common Sense Media Research Study

15. Students can
 Share all types of media
 Collaborate with peers
 Communicate with teachers & coaches
 Connect with authors, experts &
professionals
 Be an engaged learner
 Have an alternative way to participate

16.  Safe Kids
 FBI Safety Tips
 OnGuard Online
 NetSmartz
 Parents Guide to Social Networking Sites
 Connect Safely.org

17. "15 Sites and Apps Kids Are Heading to Beyond Facebook." Reviews & Age Ratings. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 25 June 2015.
"Be Smart Online | OnGuard Online." Be Smart Online | OnGuard Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 26
June 2015.
"Internet Safety: Rules of the Road for Kids." Reviews & Age Ratings. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June
2015.
Read a Bar Graph to See Teens' Top Reasons for Texting. (n.d.): n. pag. Scholastic Inc. Web.
26 June 2015.
"Social Networking Tips." Reviews & Age Ratings. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2015.
"Social Networking Sites: A Parent’s Guide." FTC Facts for Consumers. Federal Trade
Commission, 1 Sept. 2007. Web. 26 June 2015. <http://www.ictliteracy.info/rf.pdf/FTC
Social Networking Guide for Parents.pdf>.
"Teens Fact Sheet." Pew Research Centers Internet American Life Project RSS. N.p., n.d. Web.
26 June 2015.

18. Cellphone. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.
Class Text. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.
Distracted Texting. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.
Facebook Logo. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2015.
Instagram Logo. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.
Laptop. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2015.
Mobile Devices. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.
Snapchat. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.
Text Message. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 June 2015.
Twitter Logo. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.
Vine Logo. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2015.