Exploring Social Media and

How It Is Influencing

Today’s ChildrenEmily Lundblad Kendall Sandhop

Bethany Ruder Garrett Wall

C.J. SwansonDylan

Brown

Cultural Situation:Over viewing The Problem

The subject of children and social media is a complicated one.The subject of children and social media is a complicated one.

How much do they consume?How much do they consume?

What is good for them? What is good for them?

How does is affect other areas of their lives?How does is affect other areas of their lives?

Social Networks can be a great way to connect with friends and Social Networks can be a great way to connect with friends and family, but they can also be a breeding ground for all kinds of family, but they can also be a breeding ground for all kinds of harassment and inappropriate behavior.harassment and inappropriate behavior.

Parents need understand the nature of social media web sites and Parents need understand the nature of social media web sites and and be aware of the possible benefits and also the possible and be aware of the possible benefits and also the possible dangers.dangers.

The Media’s InvolvementUsing Social Media is one of the most common Using Social Media is one of the most common activities today among today’s children and activities today among today’s children and adolescents.adolescents.Children are using social networks like Children are using social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to express Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to express themselves and connect with one another.themselves and connect with one another.

Unintended Consequences to Society

Children’s use of electronic Children’s use of electronic media can keep them from media can keep them from getting much-needed getting much-needed physical exercise.physical exercise.Social Networks can pose Social Networks can pose as a threat to privacy and as a threat to privacy and online safety.online safety.Using digital media Using digital media decreases the amount of decreases the amount of time children would time children would otherwise be using in face-otherwise be using in face-to-face interaction.to-face interaction.

Consequences (cont.)What both children and parents What both children and parents need to learn is that their digital need to learn is that their digital footprint is created from the footprint is created from the moment they create their first moment they create their first profile or begin to post on each profile or begin to post on each other’s walls.other’s walls.

Every video they upload, every Every video they upload, every comment and status they post will comment and status they post will be a reflection of themselves for be a reflection of themselves for the public to see.the public to see.

Children need proper guidance from Children need proper guidance from parents and educators to figure out parents and educators to figure out what they want the public to know, what they want the public to know, and how they portray themselves to and how they portray themselves to the online community.the online community.

Social Media & GoodThere are many ways to There are many ways to use social media for good.use social media for good.

TOMS (Shoes for TOMS (Shoes for Tomorrow) uses social Tomorrow) uses social media to reach all age media to reach all age groups around the world groups around the world to purchase a pair of to purchase a pair of shoes that in turn shoes that in turn donates a pair of shoes donates a pair of shoes to a person in need. to a person in need. Campaigns and Campaigns and promotions help make promotions help make TOMS go viral and allows TOMS go viral and allows people to be creative. people to be creative.

Social Media & FaithCountry group, Lady Country group, Lady Antebellum, offers a unique Antebellum, offers a unique feature on their website feature on their website called “Pay It Forward”. called “Pay It Forward”.

People can post online People can post online encouraging stories and encouraging stories and examples for others to view. examples for others to view. This inspires people to This inspires people to influence others and make influence others and make the world a better place. the world a better place. Blogs also allow people to Blogs also allow people to post prayer requests online, post prayer requests online, which is convenient for which is convenient for many people to access. many people to access.