My kids give me a hard time about taking their pictures.
It’s not the actual picture taking- that part they kinda love.
It’s the Instagramming or Facebooking or “hey, this is perfect for a blog post!” that they tease me about.
The fact is I share a lot of those funny, touching, annoying but all too personal moments online.
Like the time the 3-year-old beat all of us handily at bowling. Three games in a row. #ShareAwesome
I remind myself DAILY that there’s some pictures of me as a kid that should never see the light of day (and I try to respect my own children by not sharing those unflattering oh-so awkward shots).
But of course what Mom thinks is beautiful a pre-teen may think is horribly embarrassing.
It’s a hard balance to find, right?
Family reunion time. Really mother, really? Yes. Really. #ShareAwesome
My oldest daughter is a blogger too and we’ve had extensive conversations about online safety.? My oldest son has an Instagram account and Little Brother is the gamer in the family.
Heck, even my youngest has a hashtag: #OhLucy is all over my Instagram and Facebook page.
We are certainly a family that shares a lot online.
One of the first things I told my children is that they need to remember that their actions have consequences and hurting feelings is even easier online than it is in person.
I stress? to THINK before they post anything.
And really, is this any different than how we should behave off line?? I don’t think so and I know my kids understand my opinion on this matter.
We’ve talked about apps I won’t allow- EVER– and how they should always talk to us about anything that happens online that feels “off” to them.? Trusting your instincts is one way to stay out of trouble.
Where instincts fail, Mom and Dad step in, am I right?
This little one won’t be content with just games for long! #ShareAwesome
The #ShareAwesome campaign is a partnership between the National PTA and LifeLock to help digital families stay safe by making positive decisions.
The National PTA and LifeLock hope to encourage Social Media loving families to continue this dialogue.? It’s all about living a safe and healthy lifestyle- on and offline!
They invite your family to play along in a contest that celebrates safe digital use.
Join the #ShareAwesome contest today by doing the following starting on September 15:
Snap a photo of an awesome moment in your day and share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the #ShareAwesome hashtag!
Students who enter the #ShareAwesome contest between September 15 ? November 30, 2014 will have a chance to win fantastic prizes, including tablets and a $2,500 scholarship!
I know we’ll be sharing our awesome- will you?
Parents of high schoolers: help me out here!? What tips do you have about social media use? How do you talk to your kids about online safety?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Patty Holliday is a Marvel loving, Disney obsessed wife, and mother of four. She’s a travel agent specializing in Disney & Universal vacations- and loves a candid confession. Find her in Virginia (or anywhere frequent flyer miles or her trusty minivan takes her.)
Bonnie S.
Saturday 13th of September 2014
My son isn't on social media yet, but these are all great things to think about even for myself. Thanks for the info! I saw a local news segment on Pause before you post. A kid was not recruited for a sport for college because of the things on his twitter account. So definitely relevant in this digital age we live in.
patty
Saturday 13th of September 2014
Oh man- yes! Exactly. Employers, colleges, pretty much anyone does a little social media snooping before they decide if you pass the tests. GREAT point Bonnie!
Amy Albers
Wednesday 10th of September 2014
I REALLY need to show the THINK graphic to my boys! I've got 2 pre-teens and I feel like I can't keep up with everything they are into online. I've already told them that they will NEVER have a computer in their bedroom and that I will be checking the history on all their electronics regularly!
patty
Wednesday 10th of September 2014
Yep that and more. Parental controls out the wazoo and hope they are open to communication. Sigh. Scary world.
Julie @RunWalkFastpass
Wednesday 10th of September 2014
My soon to be 8 year old has asked for her own youtube channel. Its scary, but the world we live in needs to have all of us thinking about what our kids will be doing online. Um hello, I said no to the channel, but it has started me thinking. Great info shared on keeping kids safe online. Scary world out there.
patty
Wednesday 10th of September 2014
This doesn't surprise me about SC! She'd be a star! lol
Suzanne
Wednesday 10th of September 2014
Great information! Outside if requesting their own YouTube channels my two have not expressed much interest in being online. The answer to both was a no. L is getting close to that age but he's not there yet. I will for sure have many discussions about online safety. Love the THINK approach. They use that at their school too.
patty
Wednesday 10th of September 2014
That's probably where I got it from Suzanne. :)
April R.
Wednesday 10th of September 2014
Thank you for this! My oldest is 9 and just entering the online world and it scares me, with how much is out there!
patty
Wednesday 10th of September 2014
Like- EVERYTHING- is out there! Yes- I know. It is scary as well as entertaining and educational.