This document discusses social media use among kids and teens. It provides information on the most popular social media platforms and their key features. Some of the main issues covered include privacy and control concerns, the prevalence of cyberbullying, and the effects of social media on mood, self-esteem and relationships. Research is presented on topics like cyberbullying perpetrators and victims, and how platforms and messaging influence bullying risk. Guidelines are offered for parents to have open conversations with youth about responsible social media use.

1. SOCIAL MEDIA:
KIDS & TEENS
ANNE OELDORF-HIRSCH
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, COMMUNICATION
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
ANNEO@UCONN.EDU
2/1/17 1Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

2. TOP SOCIAL MEDIA APPS
1.79 billion monthly active users
66% use it every day
600 million monthly active users
300 million daily active users
301 million monthly active users
150 million daily active users
317 million users
100 million daily active users
2/1/17 2Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
http://expandedramblings.com/index.php/resource-how-many-people-use-the-top-social-media/

3. •Go-to social networking site for connecting
and sharing content
•Most teens are still here, but not how they
communicate with friends
•Family in this space makes it more of a
directory/way to contact someone
• Context collapse (too much network overlap)
2/1/17 3Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

4. •Photo sharing app (selfies!)
•All about the “likes”
•Photos are public by default
• Privacy concerns
• Harassment concerns
2/1/17 4Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

5. •Photo-based chats with friends
•For the photos that aren’t good enough
for Instagram
•Risky use can develop because photos
“disappear” after 10 seconds (but don’t
really disappear)
• Sexting concerns
2/1/17 5Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

6. •Microblogging site for real-time status
updates
•All tweets are public by default
• But teens may “hide” here from family who
are only on Facebook
2/1/17 6Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

7. 2/1/17 7
SOCIAL MEDIA USED BY CHILDREN &
TEENS
• 88% teens 13-17 have
access to a smartphone
• Texting a primary mode
of communication
• 92% of teens report
going online daily —
including 24% who say
they go online “almost
constantly
2/1/17 7Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

8. “RULES OF SOCIAL MEDIA”
• Have lots of followers.
• Have more followers than people you follow.
• But don’t look like you’re trying to get followers by hashtagging too much, etc.
• Don’t serial post. (“You only want to post one Instagram a day.”)
• If you do post multiple things per day, they’d better be amazing. (“You can
post multiple tweets a day, but they can’t be stupid or not interesting.”)
• If you game the system, don’t get caught. (“She [my friend] probably has 20
fake accounts where she goes and likes her own pictures.”)
• Remove photos that don’t get enough likes.
• Be witty. (“Cute and clever captions are important. People judge you if they’re
weird.”)
• Time your posts for optimal like-getting. (“There’s a lot of social pressure to
get likes, so you have to post it at the right time of day. You don’t want to post
it during school when people don’t have their phone.”)
• Facebook is for photos that weren’t good enough for Instagram.
[Survey of 5,000 13-24 females, 2014]
2/1/17 8Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
http://time.com/3067694/weheartit-teen-girls-bullying-instagram/

9. KEY ISSUES WITH KIDS & TEENS USING
SOCIAL MEDIA
Content / Privacy / Control
Cyberbullying
Effects on mood, self-esteem, frienships,
behavior
2/1/17 9Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

10. CONTENT / PRIVACY / CONTROL
•Privacy
• Very important to teens
• But very different notion of “privacy” than
adults have
• Social media are “private” places to get away
from school, parents
• Kids/teens may not be aware of or
understand bigger privacy issues
2/1/17 10Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

11. CONTENT / PRIVACY / CONTROL
•Terms of Service:
• On most sites children need to be 13 to be
allowed on site
• Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
• But younger children often sign up regardless
• E.g., ~50% of those under 13 use Facebook
• Parents break privacy rules too
• No one reads the terms of service
2/1/17 11Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

12. PARENTS, TEENS AND DIGITAL
MONITORING
2/1/17 12Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/01/07/parents-teens-and-digital-monitoring/

13. CONTENT / PRIVACY / CONTROL
•What to do?
• Understand Terms of Service and Privacy
Policies for social media sites/apps
• Terms of Service; Didn’t Read: tosdr.org/
• Summarizes major sites’ terms, highlights
protections and risks
2/1/17 13Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

14. CYBERBULLYING
• When a child, preteen or teen is tormented,
threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or
otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen
using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies
or mobile phones.
• It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been
instigated by a minor against another minor.
• Once adults become involved, it is plain and simple cyber-
harassment or cyberstalking.
• Adult cyber-harassment or cyberstalking is NEVER called
cyberbullying.
2/1/17 14Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
http://stopcyberbullying.org/

15. CYBERBULLYING
•Direct attacks
• Messages sent to kids directly
•Cyberbullying by proxy
• Using others to bully the victim
• Can be very technical, e.g., hacking into account
to get user banned
2/1/17 15Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
http://stopcyberbullying.org/

16. CYBERBULLYING
Survey of 5,000 13-24 females (2014)
Cyberbullying happened to this many users:
•Facebook: 66%
•Twitter: 19%
•Instagram: 9%
2/1/17 16Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
http://time.com/3067694/weheartit-teen-girls-bullying-instagram/

17. RESEARCH: CYBERBULLYING
•Affordances of technology (e.g., lack of
social-emotional cues) lead to moral
disengagement1
•School/classroom structure plays an
important role2,3
•Cyberbullying can be mutual3
2/1/17 17Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
1Runions, et al., 2015; 2Festl, et al., 2015; 3Herman, et al., 2015; 4Wegge, et al., 2014

18. RESEARCH: CYBERVICTIMS
•Only 33% of victims tell an adult1
•94% of cyberbully victims also targeted in
at least some other form of bullying2
•Social networking site use3 and text
messaging4 associated with increased risk
of being cyberbullied
2/1/17 18Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
1Kessel Schneider, et al., 2015; 2Beran, 2015; 3Sampasa-Kanyinga, et al., 2015; 4Rice, et al., 2015

19. RESEARCH: CYBERBULLIES
• Cyberbullies: High popularity goals, low peer
acceptance1
• Risk factors for being a cyberbully2
• Previous attitudes about cyberbullying, previous
cyberbullying behavior, anonymity
• 5 types of cyberbullies3
• Sociable cyberbully, Lonely cyberbully, Narcissistic
cyberbully, Sadistic cyberbully, Morally-driven
cyberbully
2/1/17 19Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
1Romero, et al., 2016; 2Bartlett, 2015; 3Kyriacou, 2016

20. MEASURING, STUDYING,
UNDERSTANDING CYBERBULLYING
Palladino, B. E., Nocentini, A., & Menesini, E. (2015).
Psychometric Properties of the Florence
CyberBullying-CyberVictimization
Scales. Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social
Networking, 18(2), 112-119.
Thomas, H., Connor, J., & Scott, J. (2015). Integrating
Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying: Challenges
of Definition and Measurement in Adolescents - A
Review. Educational Psychology Review, 27(1), 135-
152.
2/1/17 20Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

21. [CYBERBULLYING BIBLIOGRAPHY]
Barlett, C. (2015). Predicting adolescent's cyberbullying behavior: A longitudinal risk analysis. Journal Of
Adolescence, 41(3), 86-95.
Beran, T., Mishna, F., McInroy, L., & Shariff, S. (2015). Children's experiences of cyberbullying: A Canadian national
study. Children & Schools, 37(4), 207-214.
Festl, R., Scharkow, M., & Quandt, T. (2015). The Individual or the Group: A Multilevel Analysis of Cyberbullying in
School Classes. Human Communication Research, 41(4), 535-556. doi:10.1111/hcre.12056
Heirman, W., Angelopoulos, S., Wegge, D., Vandebosch, H., Eggermont, S., & Walrave, M. (2015). Cyberbullying-
Entrenched or Cyberbully-Free Classrooms? A Class Network and Class Composition Approach. Journal Of
Computer-Mediated Communication, 20(3), 260-277. doi:10.1111/jcc4.12111
Kessel Schneider, S., O'Donnell, L., & Smith, E. (2015). Trends in Cyberbullying and School Bullying Victimization in
a Regional Census of High School Students, 2006-2012. Journal Of School Health, 85(9), 611-620.
Kyriacou, C. (2016). A psychological typology of cyberbullies in schools. Psychology Of Education Review, 40(2),
24-27.
Rice, E., Petering, R., Rhoades, H., Winetrobe, H., Goldbach, J., Plant, A., & ... Kordic, T. (2015). Cyberbullying
Perpetration and Victimization Among Middle-School Students. American Journal Of Public Health, 105(3),
e66-e72.
Romera, E. M., Cano, J., García-Fernández, C., & Ortega-Ruiz, R. (2016). Cyberbullying: Social Competence,
Motivation and Peer Relationships. Comunicar, 24(48), 71-79. doi:10.3916/C48-2016-07
Runions, K. C., & Bak, M. (2015). Online Moral Disengagement, Cyberbullying, and Cyber-
Aggression. Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social Networking, 18(7), 400-405.
Sampasa-Kanyinga, H., & Hamilton, H. A. (2015). Use of Social Networking Sites and Risk of Cyberbullying
Victimization: A Population-Level Study of Adolescents. Cyberpsychology, Behavior & Social
Networking, 18(12), 704-710.
Wegge, D., Vandebosch, H., & Eggermont, S. (2014). Who bullies whom online: A social network analysis of
cyberbullying in a school context. Communications: The European Journal Of Communication
Research, 39(4), 415-433. doi:10.1515/commun-2014-0019
2/1/17 21Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

22. RESOURCES
Audio
• This American Life. (2015, November, 27). Status update: Find the self in the selfie.
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/573/status-update
Books
• Bearden, S. (2016). Digital citizenship: A community-based approach. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage.
• boyd, d. (2014). It's complicated: The social lives of networked teens. New Haven, CT:
Yale University Press
• Ito, et al. (2010). Hanging out, messing around, and geeking out. Cambridge, MA:
MIT Press.
Websites
• https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
• http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/
2/1/17 22Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

23. RESOURCES
Reports
• Anderson, M. (2016). Parents, teens and digital monitoring. Pew Research
Center. http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/01/07/parents-teens-and-
digital-monitoring/
• Duggan, M., Lenhart, A., Lampe, C., & Ellison, N. B. (2015). Concerns about
children, social media and technology use. Pew Research Center.
http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/07/16/concerns-about-children-social-
media-and-technology-use/
• Pew Research Center. (2015). Teen voices: Dating in the digital age.
http://www.pewinternet.org/online-romance/
• Rainie, L. (2014). 13 things to know about teens and technology. Pew
Research Center. http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/07/23/13-things-to-
know-about-teens-and-technology/
2/1/17 23Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

24. 24
TALKING TO KIDS & PARENTS
ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA USE
24Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu 2/8/17

25. GENERAL TIPS
1. Do learn about current technologies
• Net aware: guide to social networks kids use
• Download apps and join
• Friend some kids/teens in your family
(but give them their space!)
2. Do tell kids their technology use is something you
are interested in and want to know more about
3. Don’t be secretive about getting at their tech use
• (E.g., using monitoring software without their knowing)
2/8/17 25Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

26. HOW KIDS/TEENS DIFFER FROM ADULTS
More kids & teens are on social media than adults
• And they spend more time on social media
Social media are a much bigger part of kids’ & teens’ lives
• Self-expression, information, entertainment
Kids & teens are more impulsive online
• Disclose first, then correct
Teens think of privacy differently
• Don’t always understand complexities
2/8/17 26Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

27. DEVELOPMENT & WELL-BEING
•Technology amplifies emotions1
•Mixed effects:2
• Increased self-esteem, social support, social
capital, safe identity experimentation,
opportunity for self-disclosure
• Increased exposure to harm, social isolation,
depression, cyberbullying
2/8/17 27Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
1Barth, F. D. (2015). Social media and adolescent development: Hazards, pitfalls and opportunities for growth. Clinical Social
Work Journal, 43(2), 201-208. doi:10.1007/s10615-014-0501-6
2Best, P., Manktelow, R., & Taylor, B. (2014). Online communication, social media and adolescent wellbeing: A systematic
narrative review. Children And Youth Services Review, 4127-36. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.03.001

28. BENEFITS OF KIDS/TEENS USING SOCIAL MEDIA
1. Opportunities for community engagement through raising money
for charity and volunteering for local events, including political and
philanthropic events
2. Enhancement of individual and collective creativity through
development and sharing of artistic and musical endeavors
3. Growth of ideas from the creation of blogs, podcasts, videos, and
gaming sites
4. Expansion of one's online connections through shared interests to
include others from more diverse backgrounds
5. Fostering of one's individual identity and unique social skills
2/8/17 28Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
O’Keeffe, G. S., & Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011). The impact of social media
on children, adolescents, and families. Pediatrics, 127(4), 800-804. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-0054

29. RISKS OF KIDS/TEENS USING SOCIAL MEDIA
1. Cyberbullying & online harassment
2. Sexting
• “sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages,
photographs, or images via cell phone, computer, or other digital
devices.”
• 20% of teens have done this
3. Depression
• When preteens and teens spend a great deal of time on social
media sites, such as Facebook, and begin to exhibit classic
symptoms of depression
2/8/17 29Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
O’Keeffe, G. S., & Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011). The impact of social media
on children, adolescents, and families. Pediatrics, 127(4), 800-804. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-0054

30. ROLE OF CLINICIANS
1. Advise parents to talk to their children and adolescents about their online use
and the specific issues that today's online kids face.
2. Advise parents to work on their own participation gap in their homes by
becoming better educated about the many technologies their youngsters are
using
3. Discuss with families the need for a family online-use plan that involves regular
family meetings to discuss online topics and checks of privacy settings and
online profiles for inappropriate posts. The emphasis should be on citizenship
and healthy behavior and not punitive action, unless truly warranted
4. Discuss with parents the importance of supervising online activities via active
participation and communication, as opposed to remote monitoring with a
“net-nanny” program
2/8/17 30Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
O’Keeffe, G. S., & Clarke-Pearson, K. (2011). The impact of social media
on children, adolescents, and families. Pediatrics, 127(4), 800-804. doi:10.1542/peds.2011-0054

31. THREE POTENTIAL ISSUES
1. Privacy / content shared
2. Cyberbullying
3. Overuse / improper use
2/8/17 31Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

32. PRIVACY
2/8/17 32Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
qz.com

33. TECH/PRIVACY QUESTIONS TO ASK
What is your favorite app?
What apps are your friends into right now?
How do you keep yourself safe online?
Are you concerned when others write
something about you online that’s not true
but others might think is true?
2/8/17 33Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

34. CYBERBULLYING QUESTIONS TO ASK
Do you ever post hurtful updates on social media? Why?
Have you ever had to delete a post or comment written
by someone else?
Would you feel comfortable telling an adult if an online
interaction made you uncomfortable?
Do you feel like your friends would be supportive if you
told them you were cyberbullied?
Does your school have a way to deal with cyberbullying?
2/8/17 34Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu
http://cyberbullying.org/questions-parents-should-ask-their-children-about-technology

35. CYBERBULLYING
Cyberbullying laws to know about:
• Covered in Connecticut, under the term
“Bullying and positive school climate”
• stopbullying.gov/laws/connecticut.html
2/8/17 35Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu

36. RESTRICTING USE FOR PARENTS
What to tell parents about restricting use:
• Create a family media plan
Guide parents to online resources:
• commonsensemedia.org
2/8/17 36Anne Oeldorf-Hirsch | anneo@uconn.edu