Tips for Parents
Teen use of Social Media and Online Communication
Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter
Instagram
Instagram
is a free photo and video sharing app for use on mobile phones. Users
can upload photos or videos and share them with their followers or with a
select group of friends. They can also view, comment and like posts
shared by their friends on Instagram. Anyone 13 and older can create an
account by registering an email address and selecting a username.
Facebook
Teens use
Facebook to connect with friends—through chat, personal messages and
sharing photos, videos, links and other kinds of information.
Snapchat
Snapchat is for sharing moments with friends -- through Snaps, Chats and Stories.
Twitter
Twitter is a global social broadcast network that enables people and
organizations to publicly share brief messages instantly around the
world. The service can be accessed on the web at twitter.com, on a wide
variety of mobile devices, and via text messaging.
Please review the Parent Tips, Safety and Security guidelines discussed on the Instragram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter websites.
If you or
your teen see someone posting distressing messages or content on any
social media site or behaving dramatically differently than usual, it
may signal that this person needs help.
If you have a gut feeling that something is not right, you should act on it.
Please read,
"Learn the Facts" , tips for spotting potential warning signs that a friend might be in emotional
distress and need your help. Additional resources are available at SPTS Teens
website