Keep your family safe on social media

Facebook recently announced that the number of Kenyan users on its platform had hit 5.2 million a month.

The bulk of the users access Facebook from their mobile devices. As this number grows, the interaction of children online has also been on the rise.

“In Africa, there are not as many children online compared with other continents, but the number is growing steadily with the growing middle class,” says Ebele Okobi, head of public policy Africa, Facebook, during an interview with BDLife.

This increase in younger users has spurred the need to get both parents and children online safely. The exposure to predators cuts across the globe with an even higher risk of interacting with conmen and scammers in Kenya.

Online scams

According to Antigone Davis, Facebook head of global safety, the tech company has been compiling information and engaging local partners to improve safety for users.

Online scams have become a regular occurrence on social media platforms, with support groups including Buyer Beware coming up to warn users on the pitfalls of online media use.

However, as more and more adolescents get on social media, Ms Davis gives tips on how the teen can stay safe.

“First is to think before you post. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment but remember, what you say can really hurt someone, or come back to haunt you,” she says alluding to social media bullying and general inappropriate postings.

According to Ms Davis, before putting up a post, users should look at the image they would like to project of themselves out there.

This is advice applicable not just for teens but adults too. “We have found it helpful to have users think about these questions: Is this how I want people to see me? Could somebody use this to hurt me or my reputation? Would I be upset if they shared it with others? What’s the worst thing that could happen if I shared this?” she explains.

Information posted on the public domain can find its way around to friends, family, employers, peers and other members of society.

When we were children, our parents placed emphasis on not talking to strangers. This does not change when on the online platform. Strangers still pose a risk even behind the screen, especially for teens and younger people. “It is important to only accept friend requests from people you know,” warns Ms Davis.

Unfriend offenders

In cases where as a user you are barraged with abusive or threatening messages, you can block, report or unfriend the offenders.

Reporting the users prevents them from causing the same anguish to others. Trolling has been attributed to several suicides over the years, especially among teenagers. It has also resulted in self-esteem issues and even depression.

This is where parents are needed to play a proactive role in their child’s presence online. Ms Davis offers five tips for parents to ensure that their children are not only safe online but also that they do not become a hazard to others.

Stick with what works: Typically, you can use the same parenting style for your child’s online activities as you do offline. If you find your child responds best to a negotiated agreement, create a contract that you can both sign. Or, maybe your child just needs to know the basic rules. In that case, you can establish them early when you first buy a mobile device for him or her.

Do as I do: The old adage your kids will “do as you do, not as you say,” is as true online as it is offline. Try to be a good example. If you set time restrictions on when your child can use social media or be online (for example, no texting after 10:00 pm), modelling that same behaviour makes a big difference. If you want your child to be civil online, model civility and respect in your texts to him or her.

Engage early and establish norms:

Data suggests parents should engage online with their children as soon as they are on social media, by friending them as soon as they join Facebook or following them on Instagram when they sign up. It gets harder to do so if you wait until later.

While this is not surprising, it is worth noting that just as you lay the foundation for dialogue and conversation offline with your children early, you have to lay that foundation early online as well. Even before they are on social media, talk to them about technology as a whole. It will help lay the groundwork for future conversations.

Seize key moments:

There are many times to have these conversations: when they get their first mobile phone (it’s a good time to establish ground rules), when your child turns 13 and is old enough to join Facebook, Instagram and other social media services, or when your child gets a driver’s license (it is a good times to discuss the importance of not texting and driving).

Ask your children to teach you:

Not on Instagram? Maybe you’re interested in trying a streaming music service? If your children are already familiar with these services, they can be an excellent resource.

The conversation can also serve as an opportunity to talk about issues of safety, privacy and security. For example, maybe you can ask them questions about privacy settings as you set up your own Facebook account. And, as most parents know all too well, your child will likely appreciate the opportunity to teach you.