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?"
Encouraging Parents to have the Sext Talk
Research shows having ‘the sex talk’ with children and only teaching abstinence is not effective in preventing adolescent sex. Telling adolescents to abstain from social media or mandating they delete their accounts may also not be effective in promoting online responsibility.
Q: Why Have It?
A: Permanency, legality, reputations, safety...
In terms of decision-making capacity, children and adolescents lack the ability to fully think through and anticipate the consequences of their actions. It is important for parents to help their children understand the possible ramifications of sexting and other inappropriate online behaviors.
Do they know that one decision may impact their reputation, potential jobs, college entry, their safety, and result in criminal punishment?
Q: When To Have It?
A:
All the time.
Parents should begin having these conversations when their children are in early elementary school. Frequent and ongoing conversations help children and adolescents get the facts.
Below are some topics parents may want raise before their pre-teens join social media. Conversations should continue as adolescents are exposed to more and more explicit online content.
Q: What To Talk About?
A: EVERYTHING!
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Talking to strangers online
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Sharing personal information online
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Choosing a profile picture
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Posting appropriately online
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Meeting up with people you met online
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Sending or receiving naked photos
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Sending or receiving sexually explicit texts
References
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Knorr, C. (2016). Talking about sexting. Parenting, Media, and Everything In Between; Common Sense Media. Retrieved from: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/talking-about-sexting
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Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2010). Sexting: A brief guide for educators and parents. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved from: http://pershingpto.org/files/2014/04/Sexting-Fact-Sheet.pdf
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SBS News. (2018) Sexting a talk parents should have: expert. Retrieved from: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/sexting-a-talk-parents-should-have-expert
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TeenSafe. (2015). Teen Sexting, Part V. Retrieved from: https://www.teensafe.com/blog/teen-sexting-part-v-giving-child-sext-talk/