Teens and Social Networking

1. Teens and Social Networking

2. Outline • Introduction • What is a social network? • Popular social networking sites • Pros & Cons of using social networking sites (SNS) • Risks associated with SNS • Some Dos and Don’ts

3. What is a social network? • Communities of people who share interests and activities on the internet • A tool for people to connect with each other • Friendships, relationships, business, mutual support, and sharing of information • Friend-based networks like facebook and myspace

4. Social Network (cont) • Music and movie networks like Flixster and Last.FM • Business social networks like LinkedIn and XING • Gaming/sporting networks like Xbox Live and PlayStation network

5. Popular Social Networking Sites • Facebook • Myspace • Twitter • YouTube • Flickr • Photobucket

6. Pros and Cons • Pros • Allow you to express yourself • Share experiences and pictures • Keep in contact with family and friends • Meet new friends with common interests • Help with school projects • Information on current events • Network with professionals

7. Pros and Cons (cont) • Cons • Revealing too much information • Online predators • Loss of productivity • Damaged reputation

8. Risks of SNS • Online predators • Fake accounts/identities • Malicious software • Identity theft • Revealing too much information • Online predators • Future employers • Cyber Bullying • Online rumors

9. Cyber Bullying

10. Dos and Don’t • Do… • Use good judgment to protect your reputation • Utilize privacy settings • Monitor content that you (and others) upload • Use caution when befriending others • Don’t… • Post any un-safe information • Post un-tasteful pictures • Download anything illegal

11. Informative Websites • Staysafe • www.staysafe.org • Web Wise Kids • www.webwisekids.org • WiredSafety • www.wiredsafety.org • Cyberbully411 • www.cyberbully411.org

12. Questions?