This document discusses risks associated with social media use in schools. It notes that while social media allows for collaboration, it can also lead to bullying, distraction from schoolwork, and sharing of private information. Specific risks mentioned include identity theft, money theft, framing, blackmail, and data leaks from hacking. The document advises students to use strong passwords, be cautious about sharing location information and vacation plans, carefully consider who they accept friend requests from, and be mindful of how their online activities could impact future opportunities. Overall, it warns students to balance social media usage with safety and privacy.

1. MEDIA SAFETY
Don’t fall into these traps

2. Quick diagnostic quiz
• How much do you know about cyber attacks and cyber safety ??

3. Social media in school?
• Social media can be beneficial when it comes to schoolwork.
It gives students the opportunity to collaborate and discuss
things, such as if they’re stuck on a homework task, and they
develop more familiarity with computers and other pieces of
technology.
***However, there are a number of risks associated with it:

4. Downfalls:
1. BULLYING
• Bullies may use their personal accounts or hide behind an
anonymous persona to target others. They might send nasty
and abusive messages, share embarrassing photos and
secrets, or deliberately leave someone out of an online chat.
2. DISTARCTIONS***
-*****Students may spend lesson time on social apps on their
phones, which distracts them from their work. This reduces their
concentration and could lead to lower academic performance.
 Ahem.. Netflix and Omegle etc…

5. Downfalls:
3. Reduced social skills. The more time teens spend on social
media, the less time they spend interacting with their friends
face-to-face.
4. Sharing personal information. Groomers often use social
media to target their victims, so students should never talk to
someone they don’t know and share their personal
information. Furthermore, they must be cautious of sharing
certain images that can be dangerous if they fall into the wrong
hands.

6. Downfalls
5. Making inappropriate comments. Students should know that
what they say online can have repercussions in later life. Many
employers look at an applicant’s social media accounts before
they offer them an interview. A stupid comment could therefore
cost a student their dream job further down the line.
6. Links to mental health issues. Social media sites can have
many negative consequences on mental health. Sites that
promote image sharing may lead to teens comparing themselves
with their peers, and certain blogs may promote dangerous
lifestyles.

7. Some serious threats:
DATA LEAKING
- Hackers and Malware
This resulted in a loss of almost $21 billion in the United States in
2012 (imagine 2022…).
The financial organizations and other companies that handle their
customer’s confidential information, are taking steps to conserve
those and keep it safe from hackers.
In spite of these preventive measures, the hackers manage to attain
all the information, which is, of course, a criminal offense and should
be stopped.

8. Data Leaking
Worse case scenarios:
- Identity theft
- Money theft
- Framing
- Blackmail
- Loss of important information
And more….
Can you think of any more?????

9. Less serious consequences:
• Account hacks (social media)
• Computer virus
• Spam
• Unstoppable pop ups
• Annoyances

10. Social sharing: Careful what you reveal/share.
• What seems like a fun feature can be taken advantage of by ill intending
people:
On social media websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, there
is a feature in which one can share their current locations along with their
photographs.
- This proves to be helpful for social media criminals to receive information
about the person. These locations are shown on the web in the form of
detailed addresses, and this advanced feature can lead to strangers
contacting or finding you
- Think also: Status updates, vacation announcements etc..
Risk? Reveals perfect opportunities.

11. That being said…
• You don’t always have to be absolutely paranoid that someone is
waiting to hack or rob you etc..
• BUT do be careful and be smart about your social media activities.

12. Are you media safe Handout
20min ish

13. Risk assessment:
• If you come across any suspicious activity on your social media
accounts or your friends find any doubtful message posted on your
account that doesn’t match your behavior, then you should take it as
an alarm. It’s a high time you should take the necessary steps to avoid
losing complete control of your account. Performing free identity
checks can be a starting point for you.
• If you are getting regular popups when you are accessing social media
accounts on a computer or smartphone then you should take a cue
and start updating security as well as privacy settings in your device

14. Prevention:
1. Strong password!
Seems obvious but..
A strong password is key to avoid your social media account from
getting hacked on a primary level. To make the password a stronger
one and difficult to crack, one must make use of an alphanumeric
pattern of codes and also must include some symbols in it.
There are very fewer chances of their account being hacked if this
trend is followed.
Don’t do easily guessable passwords: pet, birthdays, family names
etc…

15. Careful who you allow to have access to your
accounts!
• Is it really worth the extra follower????
• If you wish to stay away from frauds and scams, just avoid accepting
friend requests on social media from unknown people.
• It is a cleverer and much simpler way to avoid unwanted social media
risks and dangers.
• You should not click on any suspicious links that you receive in your
message box.
 promotions, fake offers, free stuff etc…

16. Be mindful of your FOOTPRINT
• Very important for future career!!!!
• Remember when we talked about cancel culture? Don’t put yourself
in a position where you can lose important opportunities..
Includes: Jobs, School, Relationships etc..
Self censorship? NO.
-- but be mindful what you post and how it can come off..
What do I mean by this?
 Online hate, controversial opinions, inappropriate content etc…

17. Footprint handout
• About 20min

21. YouTube vid: