Any adolescent would be able to tell you that a hashtag is used on social media to group information together by topic, theme, or content. Search #Prom2018 and you will certainly find a plethora of prom photos posted on Instagram. Sometimes it also provides an opportunity for teens to cleverly caption a photo and obtain more likes or followers, #squadgoals. Nevertheless, the purpose here is simple. Just as we strive to be culturally competent across racial and ethnic groups, we should also strive to learn just as much about adolescent online culture, especially if adolescents are the primary population of clients we are working with. As you’ll see in the next section, the more you know, the better questions you can ask!
Any adolescent would be able to tell you that a hashtag is used on social media to group information together by topic, theme, or content. Search #Prom2018 and you will certainly find a plethora of prom photos posted on Instagram. Sometimes it also provides an opportunity for teens to cleverly caption a photo and obtain more likes or followers, #squadgoals. Nevertheless, the purpose here is simple. Just as we strive to be culturally competent across racial and ethnic groups, we should also strive to learn just as much about adolescent online culture, especially if adolescents are the primary population of clients we are working with. As you’ll see in the next section, the more you know, the better questions you can ask!
Assesing for an addiction to Social Media
Assesing for an addiction to Social Media
"What do you enjoy doing on the computer?"
"What do you enjoy doing on the computer?"
"What do you enjoy doing on the computer?"
Fostering Autonomy & Sense of Control with Cyberbullying
When an adolescent is a victim of cyberbullying they may feel helpless, hopeless. Instead, adolescents should feel empowered as the level of control they possess online is far greater than they may realize.
Choice is powerful and victims can become powerful change agents if they choose to act up rather than act out. Adolescents are able to CHOOSE:
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To BLOCK the cyberbully.
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To make their accounts PRIVATE.
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To UNFOLLOW offensive posts.
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To REPORT cyberbullies to social media sites.
No social media site wants their users to feel intimidated or threatened while using their sites, and as a result, many have strict cyberbullying and reporting procedures. Follow the links below if you would like more information on reporting graphic, inappropriate, or troublesome online content.
Once a user's social media site is reported, an investigation is completed and if determined the user acted in a manner that contradicts the site's values and mission, the account can be shut down. Imagine the cyberbully's dismay when they attempt to log in to their Finsta and realize their entire account was deleted.
WHAT YOUNG ADULTS SAID
ABOUT CYBERBULLYING
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Quotes from Biri (2018) unpublished manuscript, Disclosing the self to others online: The experiences of socially anxious college-aged females.
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I was a victim in high school. A lot of times people feel invincible behind a computer screen or a phone or a screenname. People just say whatever they want. I didn't really do anything about it then. That affected me.
24 years old
I would immediately block someone who made me feel uncomfortable or who was inappropriate. I have done it before. I just don't need to deal with that. There's more important things and more important people in life.
22 years old
I've never been a victim of cyberbullying myself, but I've seen things. I think we've all seen things. But we don't always know what to do about it. We don't want to get involved, but we don't want to do nothing.