Power of voodoo (who do?) You do (do what?) Stay Safe Online!

 This is the last week of this semester. Needless to say, it's been a whirlwind. I've enjoyed my time chatting with so many of the people in this course. What a time to be alive, when I can attend classes 2000 miles from where I reside. Social media has really become a powerful platform to keep people connected from all around the world. 

In its infancy, I never could have imagined how big of an impact social media would have on society. I am grateful to live in a time, where I can communicate with my loved ones with a click of a button. I have made numerous friends, participated in many online communities, and have even gained knowledge I otherwise would not have come across. 

While there may be some scary aspects of Social Media (like getting catfished or scammed), there are of course positive aspects to these platforms as well. As mentioned in the article Social Media and Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, social media can provide children and adolescents a sense of belonging. With a wide reach, kids can easily diversify their worldview, while also connecting with people they share identities or interests with. 

Sometimes, the anonymity of online platforms allows the younger generation to be more open to share their thoughts and feelings. On blogs and platforms like iPrevail, Supportiv, Ventout, and even generic Reddit, children can be more transparent and seek help if they are not in the circumstances to receive professional help.  

Having the support of your peers can be the thing that makes a difference. But how can we ensure their safety? Especially when some of these aspects are also what online predators use? Here are quick tips for everyone that may help in navigating these platforms. 

(Image Source: Myself) 

1. Follow the Rules - Wherever you are, there are guidelines that we must follow. Whether that be school, home, or library, there are expectations of how to properly use the platforms Remember to communicate with your guardian to make sure they know which social media you're participating in. Your Guardian can be the best resource to guide you in staying safe online. 

2. Think Before Posting - Ask yourself "Does what I am about to post add value to the conversation?" Are you respecting your peers when addressing them? We have to be aware of how posts can come back to bite you. Let's try to treat others the way we want to be treated. Just because we have anonymity on our side, it doesn't mean that we should exploit it. Also, be careful with the information that we share online. We never know who is lurking and might want to use that information for no good. 

3. Be aware of users - Let's be careful when we're interacting with strangers online. While it is great to make new friends, we don't know who is actually behind the screen. Don't let others take advantage of your trust. Try to communicate mostly with people you know in real life. Try to get confirmation that it really is them! 

4. Reach Out - If you or someone you know is getting cyberbullied, reach out to a trusted adult. Cyberbullying can lead to many issues in children and adolescents. Let's try to keep each other safe. 

5. Everything is great in moderation - Like with anything that we love to consume, social media can make us hyper-fixate on scrolling for hours on end. The instant gratification of it all can be addicting. Let's remember to get up and stretch. Unplugging from a constant barrage of information is the break that you need. Let's try other activities while we take a rest from the platforms. 

These tips aren't just for children and adolescents! Anyone can use these guidelines to stay safe online! You can find more tips and tricks as well as other resources on my webpage.  As a veteran internet user, I implore everyone to be smart about how they navigate these social media platforms. If used correctly, it can be a great benefit to us! 

Thank you all for coming on this journey with me this semester. I've learned a lot from all of you, and I wish you all an amazing journey going forward in your careers!