Page 25 - Blue Valley Issue 5 2020 print.pdf

SOCIAL MEDIA

were encouraged to book as attendees for
his rally, to ‘fill up’ the venue, basically to
prank him. Thousands did so and, as a result,
almost no real supporters arrived on the
day. Whether you like the man or not, this is
questionable behaviour and shows exactly
how powerful this app can be in a negative
context.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SHARE
The real challenge is that we can’t protect
our children from all the latest crazes. As we
know, the more we say don’t do something,
the greater the intrigue will be to go and
find out more and to perhaps do exactly the
opposite of what we ask.

LIFE TALK® FORUM NPC
REG: 2010/017980/08
PBO # 930 036317
For information on social media legal
aspects: Emma Sadleir’s book, “Don’t film
About Life Talk® Forum yourself having sex”.
Our mission is to create happy, Contact Nicoleen@lifetalk.co.za to find out
successful and fulfilled youth, about our essential services
guided by sound values. Life Talk is • School talks (for students and parents)
a non-profit organization dedicated on a wide range of topics
to raising awareness and seeking • Staff Workplace Development: parents
solutions to the challenges faced by who are coping at home are more
parents and their children. productive and focused at work.
• Supportive parenting books

A better approach may be to keep yourself,
as a parent, informed - read up on the latest
craze - let’s face it, if it isn’t TikTok, it will be
something else. Never lose sight of the fact
that these social media platforms are built
with one goal in mind - to commercialise their
users, which they see as their ‘product’. Just
like everything we buy is tracked, everything
we do online is tracked and stored, and that
information has value which can be used for
or against us.

Invite your children to talk about their use of
social media, ask questions, and debate the
value of the different apps, the safety, and
the perception of why they are ‘cool’. Most
importantly, explain that they need to take
responsibility for their own safety because
no social media platform will ever truly be
private and secure and they are constantly
vulnerable to being exploited.
Lastly, encourage your children to apply the
tips above, for their own safety. BV

BLUE VALLEY NEWS • Issue 5 2020 • 23