YOUNG PEOPLE AND TECHNOLOGY
SOCIAL NETWORKING
WHAT IS SOCIAL NETWORKING?
Social networking describes a range of websites and mobile applications that allow users
to create a personal profile and connect, interact, and share with other users from around
the world.
Social networking allows young people to connect with friends and family, share photos
and videos, play games, and chat with other users online.
Many young people may have multiple social media accounts and this often forms an
integral part of developing their social identity.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF SOCIAL NETWORKING?
Issues may arise when young people are accepting ‘followers’ (people) who they
do not know in the real world as friends, or when they receive aggressive or hostile
communication from friends or followers.
SOCIAL NETWORKING APPLICATION EXAMPLES
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Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Snapchat
Kik Messenger
Google+
Twitter
Club Penguin
TIPS FOR SAFE SOCIAL NETWORKING
1. Know who your child is friends with online.
2. Talk to your child about what personal information is okay,
and what is not okay, to share online.
3. Ensure secure privacy settings are enabled on your child’s
social networking accounts.
4. Be aware of how to block and report users/pages/groups
if an issue were to arise.
5. Know how and where to get help on the various sites and
apps they use and check out our list of Useful Websites at
the back of this booklet.
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