OMA Comp

It’s fall and kids are now back to school. This is the perfect time to consider your kid’s social media use. Is your kid tweeting? Are they signing up for new accounts on several platforms? OMA Comp has the perfect advice for your children’s social media use.

Understand the Settings of App

The “Terms & Conditions” section of signing up for an app can be confusing for children and adults. The settings in most social media apps allow companies to advertise campaigns based on your search inquiries, location, and friends. Warn your children to consider things that mention location, advertisements, related content, contact list synchronization and to cautiously include location in posts as necessary.

Consider the Location

Many indicators can give people enough information to know exactly where your child is. Instruct your children to refrain from including addresses or other location details in pictures. Ensure they avoid posting vacation pictures while away from home to prevent people from invading an unattended home.

Consider Anonymity

Using a fake name or being anonymous is helpful because it makes it harder for people to identify others if real names are not used. Encourage your child to use social media strategically and mention that there is nothing wrong with using a fake name to mask explicit identity information.

Look out for Scammers

Scammers thrive on social media and target groups of people that are vulnerable (children and the elderly). Encourage your children to read through the site’s security policies and to cautiously interact with other accounts. They should never share account credentials and always research offers, giveaways. In addition, they should avoid messages that seem to be from the social media app staff.

Manage Privacy

A beneficial privacy practice is using two-factor authentication. Some social media apps allow parents to see their children’s direct messages in a separate email. Talk with your child and determine if they are comfortable with their media being micromanaging by you solely for protection and guidance. If they are comfortable, learn about privacy accessibility to help your child stay safe.

Keep Your Kids Safe

During this time of returning to school, kids are geared up for new experiences and trends. Ensure your kids are following the right trends, especially on social media. Help them by encouraging safe social media practices that ensure their personal information is safeguarded. Visit www.omacomp.com for more cybersecurity advice or to receive IT services.