Who R U?

When a stranger observes you, who do they see? When you put yourself out on social media, who do your friends see? In person or online, it is easy to portray myself as a strong, confident and happy. But if you really knew me, would you believe it is the truth?

I LOVE social media and based on the fact that 80% of teenagers in America have one or more social accounts, I bet you do too. It is a great way to connect with friends and have innocent fun. However, when we take a moment to think about all of the possibilities in social media, the dangers almost outweigh the joy in some of them.

Every single day, a teenager becomes a victim of cyber-bullying and on-line predators. They are exposed to sexting, pornography, and inappropriate marketing. Over time, it is very easy to lose your sense of good judgement.

I challenge you to be genuine. It is okay to have a bad day. It is okay to be disappointed in yourself and it is okay to not tell the world every little detail about your life. I challenge you to use social media safely:

1. Only interact with people you have met (face-to-face)
2. Unfriend or delete all strangers from your accounts
3. Do not have secret accounts
4. Only share your passwords with your parents or guardians
5. Limit your time online. Hangout with your friends in the “old-fashioned” way.