Social Media WARNING!

If you haven’t spoken to your children about the dangers of social media yet, this video will most likely convince you to do so sooner rather than later.

The experiment shows us how fake profiles can be created on Facebook and how easily young children can be lured into believing it to be real.

Coby Persin is a YouTube trickster who conducts routine pranks for laughs but in this instance he teamed up with some parents to teach their kids a lesson which could actually save their lives.  Persin asks “How easy is it for a paedophile to pick up an underage child using social media?” The answer to that “is shocking and something everyone should see.”

Social Media websites such as Facebook have exploded in recent years and young children in particular have become dedicated fans of this dynamic way to connect with the world around them to communicate with friends and hooking up with compatible people. Parents do need to understand how their children are interacting on social networking sites as sadly; far too many children utilize social media without realising the dangers that can happen.

Here are a few tips for parents to ensure their children’s safety when using Social Media Websites:

1. Ensure that your child is the minimum age required before joining a social network website.
2. Familiarise yourself with the privacy information or safety tips provided on the social networking sites. You will then have an indication about what measures they have taken to protect your child’s privacy.
3. Try to set limits on Internet usage at home. The more time your child spends online, the higher the risk of them becoming an online target.
4. Support your child to feel confident about their place in the online community. Just as it is in the real world, it is important that they never follow the herd if they’re uncomfortable about doing something. Peer pressure can never be underestimated.
5. Engage with your children about their experiences on the Internet, without making it seem like you’re prying. Show interest in their activities so they feel comfortable about sharing their online experiences with you. This way your child will not feel worried about speaking to you should any issue or problem arise, such as seeing inappropriate content or if they are sceptical about something.