Social Networking Safety

Social media platforms can be fun and useful tools for maintaining friendships when they are used responsibly and safely. When not used carefully, however, they can pose some pretty big risks. Without an understanding of these risks, students could be unknowingly engaging in damaging or even dangerous behaviour online.

Paul Davis, an IT professional and public speaker, presented to Grade 7 and 8 students on November 1 about social networking safety. Paul, who has worked with over 470,000 students in Canada and the United States, provided tips on how students can enjoy social media while taking some reasonable steps to manage their privacy and safety online.

In an engaging presentation, Paul talked about the realities, both positive and negative, of common social media and online platforms. Touching on topics like cyber-bullying, photo-sharing, and gaming, he focused on issues that are of particular concern to teenagers.

Students were particularly interested in his eye-opening discussion of digital trails. Digital trails are massive amounts of personal information based on our technology use, from Facebook posts to locations logged in our cellphones’ map apps or photo metadata. More startlingly, Paul explained how much of this information could be viewed publicly. Knowing where digital trails come from and what individuals can do to control what information they share empowers students to be safer about their online use.

With what they have learned from Paul Davis, our Grade 7 and 8 students are better prepared to manage their online identities, maintaining their privacy and safety.