Social Media and Instant Messaging

Photo by Alexander Shaloy on www.unspash.com.

The term social media refers to a computer-based technology that facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through virtual networks and communities. Social media is a collective term for websites and applications that focus on communication, community-based input, interaction, content-sharing and collaboration. Some popular examples of general social media platforms include Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok

Instant messaging is a form of text-based communication in which two persons participate in a single conversation over their computers or mobile devices within an Internet-based chatroom. The software establishes a direct connection between users so they can talk to each other synchronously, in real time.

Types of Social Media

Social Networking.
Photo Sharing.
Video Sharing.
Interactive Media.
Blogging/Community Building.

Learn More

It's official: Facebook isn't cool. Though some teens still use it, they prefer to use a variety of apps to connect, curate, and capture their lives in different ways. And though household names such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Tiktok have proven their staying power, young people love to try out new apps they hear about from friends, ads, or even what's trending in the app store.

This can be challenging for parents to keep up with. But you don't need to know all the ins and outs of all the apps, sites, andterms that are "hot" right now (and frankly, if you did, they wouldn't be trendy anymore). But knowing the basics -- what they are, why they're popular, and whatproblems can crop up when they're not used responsibly -- can make the difference between a positive and a negative experience when young people use these sites.

Exercise

Below, are a list of some of the most popular types of apps and websites for teens: texting, microblogging, livestreaming, self-destructing/secret, and chatting/meeting/dating. The more parents know about each, the better they'll be able to communicate with young children about safe choices. The same applies to you as a consultant. Take a look at the individual platforms and try them out if possible to learn more about their function and use.

The bottom line for most of these tools? If teens are using them respectfully, appropriately, and with a little parental guidance, they're mostly fine. Parents should take inventory of their kids' apps and review the best practices.

Tik Tok - Real Short Videos is a performance- and video-sharing social network that mostly features teens lip-synching to famous songs but also includes some original songwriting and singing.

Snapchat is a messaging app that lets users put a time limit on the pictures and videos they send before they disappear.

Twitter is a microblogging tool that allows users to post brief, 140-character messages -- called "tweets" -- and follow other users' activities.

GroupMe is an app that doesn't charge fees or have limits for direct and group messages. Users also can send photos, videos, and calendar links.

Tumblr is like a cross between a blog and Twitter: It's a streaming scrapbook of text, photos, and/or video and audio clips.

WhatsApp lets users send text messages, audio messages, videos, and photos to one or many people with no message limits or fees.

Discord started as a place for gamers to chat while playing video games but has become a bigger platform where users can use text, voice-chat, and video-chat to discuss a wide variety of topics.

Instagram lets users snap, edit, and share photos and 15-second videos, either publicly or within a private network of followers.

What you learn in this course

You'll be able to complete definitions of terms Social Media and Instant Messaging.
You can name the most important platforms and explain their basic function.
You are able to make general statements about the usage habits of this age group on these platforms.
You can explain how YouTube basically works and what it is used for.
You'll be able to explain how TikTok basically works and what it is used for.
You'll be able to explain how Instagram basically works and what it is used for.
You'll be able to explain how SnapChat basically works and what it is used for.
You'll be able to explain how Facebook and Twitter basically works and what they are used for.

Get ready: Tips for MediaParent consultants

As someone working with parents it is important to reassure parents and carers that kids and teens are spending more time using digital devices and social media than ever before. The increase in screen time causes many parents and caregivers to worry about how kids' online activities are affecting their physical, mental, and emotional health.

A healthy relationship with screens depends on the types of activities kids are doing online as well as balancing screen time with other activities like sleep, connecting with family and friends, exercise, and time outdoors. Screen time limits for older kids and teens can be helpful -- but how they are using screens (versus for how long) is even more important. Plus, family conflicts over screen time may be more harmful to children's mental health than the screen time itself.

Try the tips and questions below to have conversations with older kids and teens about their screen time habits.

1. Show interest in what they're doing online.

2. Help them recognise their screen time habits.

3. Talk about their emotional health.

4. Talk about what to do when they have negative feelings or want to set new screen time habits.