Social Media Professionalism
Most teens are adept at using multiple social media platforms — Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and many others. However, young adults may not be as efficient at recognizing the pitfalls associated with them.
Why It Matters
- There are some benefits to social media.
Teens are able to create online identities and connect with others, building social networks that can provide support to those who experience exclusion or isolation. The medium allows for self-expression and sharing of information around the globe, promoting interaction across geographic boundaries and thus providing an educational aspect. Many students use social media purely for entertainment purposes. - Social media usage can negatively affect teenagers.
Excessive social media use can disrupt teens’ sleep patterns and distract them from more important tasks, such as studying and household duties. Other risks are more impactful — bullying, peer pressure and exposure to unrealistic views of other people’s lives. - Negative online information can affect future plans.
If your student is considering college attendance, keep in mind that colleges and programs can rescind acceptance based on social media posts and profiles, as well as changes in GPA, disciplinary or behavioral problems or other issues.
What Your Student Can Do Now
- Think before posting.
Your student should carefully consider the viewing audience before posting a potentially damaging photo or comment. Good questions to ask are whether a parent would be embarrassed or if it is derogatory or demeaning to anyone, including the student. - Keep it real.
Your student should understand that most people will feature only the positive factors or events in their lives, showing their followers a happy and fulfilled image that some people feel inclined to emulate. Having realistic expectations will help your student overcome any feelings of inadequacy. - Keep the circle small.
Limiting the number of followers and friends builds a sense of trust and security for your student. Close friends will likely not share embarrassing or derogatory information about each other. Having hundreds of followers doesn’t necessarily equal a high popularity score.
What Your Student Can Do Later
- With age comes maturity.
As your student ages, so should his or her social media accounts. If treated like a resume, social media accounts can be used to your student’s advantage by showcasing accomplishments and favorable events that colleges and employers will find appealing. - Transition to other platforms.
A LinkedIn profile is an effective way to feature a resume. Its structure and various prompts allow the user to create a dynamic self-image for colleges and employers to view. Skills, awards, honors and accomplishments can be listed for employers to match with their job openings, making for a seamless transition to the professional world after high school or college.
What You Can Do
- Protect your teenager.
Establish reasonable limits for time spent online and ask to see your student’s accounts periodically. Discuss what is appropriate to share on social media and how to protect your teen from online predators. - Be realistic.
The reality of today’s world is that the majority, if not all, of our interactions are taking place online. As much as you would like to encourage more personal contact for your teen’s friendship group to limit online time, your family’s safety and well-being are a priority. Show your student what measures you take to safeguard your own security while doing things online and suggest ways your family can interact with others through platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, among others. - Continue family traditions.
Family patterns may have changed dramatically during recent years. Reinforce any new activities you developed that created a secure and safe family environment within the household. Encourage open communication about any new emotions or anxiety your teen experiences and foster their involvement in finding ways to relieve uncertainty and isolation.
Next Steps
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Additional references, handouts and talking points are available in the right sidebar to use at your leisure. They may prove beneficial to reference now or after receiving future emails – we’ll leave it completely up to you. Use our emails like a recipe for a successful outcome — assemble the recommended ingredients and then follow accompanying directions to add flavor and depth.