My first column for Lancaster Guardian May 2014
14 year old Sarah from the Netherlands bit off a little more than she could chew last month when she sent this tweet to American Airlines…
6 minutes later she received this reply…
And then she was arrested!
Those of us who still have the images of 9-11 branded on our brain will probably not be critical of this blanket policy by the airlines, and I dare say Sarah will now think twice about what she shares on social media. But a hard way for Sarah to learn though eh?
The young people and social media debate is now on a par with the sex education debate. Who should teach our young people to keep safe, teachers, or parents? Before I set up my business I was a youth worker and actually we were often best placed to have these discussions with young people, but sadly that service died the death of a thousand cuts.
My 15 year old girl has, of course, grown up with a social media trainer for a mum, very useful for both of us. I discuss issues like this with her and she lets me in on the latest trends. Perfect! But keeping safe on social media is a very serious issue, because unlike when we were young and scribbled on our pencil cases, this stays around – forever!
Just last year 15 year old Paris Brown, the youth crime commissioner, was one of the first young casualties. What she shared on-line aged 13 lost her her job. For other young people it prevents them getting jobs as potential employers’ google them and see things that they really shouldn’t. In many ways I think this is pretty unfair when our TV shows give out a clear message that publicly sharing every stupid or offensive thought is the way to fame.
So who’s job is it to teach our kids, when lots of parents and teachers alike are making some pretty shocking mistakes themselves?
As a result of the Nek Nominations earlier this year, I’m really pleased to be invited into my daughter’s school this month to talk with parents. My advice is don’t do ‘the chat‘ – Everyone hates the chat! Take time to learn about social media and open up genuine conversations with young people, because most would actually like to be able to talk this stuff through with an adult.
Perhaps start by asking their opinion on Sarah’s case.
What do you think? If you have anything to say on this issue I’d love to hear it so do leave a comment below.
Jane x