The Internet has become accessible to people of all ages. With its unlimited resources and information, anyone can use such services, seeing how they have become integral to daily life. Social media is a way to connect with friends and school fellows and share their interests. As teenagers move towards independence on social media, they need to be wary of what they share on their social media platforms. Read the full article to learn about internet privacy for teens.
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Is There Something Parents Can Do?
A Pew Research survey reported that around 51% of American teens have a Facebook account, and about one in three have a Twitter account. Parents naturally worry about what their children might be up to on social media platforms and the internet.
They can activate Parental Control on their internet connection or devices to monitor or limit their online activities using sites like BestParentalControlApps. To help, for instance, internet service providers like Xfinity have installed features of Parental Control that could be activated if they have Xfinity internet or Xfinity cable TV, where they can exercise some restrictions on their kids’ devices.
See also: Install Xfinity on Firestick
What Is Internet Privacy For Teens?
The use of the internet and the rise of social media platforms have completely changed definitions of private and public. For instance, if two persons are talking in a café, their conversation is private, and only they are privy to the content of that conversation unless one of them decides to repeat it to someone else. But on the internet and social media, all discussions are public and confidential to anyone who reads it. As a result, internet privacy for teens needs to be taught to them.
See also: How to Stay Safe on the Internet: Online Safety Guide
Teens And Online Privacy
According to research conducted by Pew Research, data collected on teens and their privacy shows that:
- 91% post a photo of themselves
- 71% share school names
- 71% post the city and residential area where they live
- 53% have posted their email addresses
- 20% share their cell phone numbers
- 92% of teens reported having posted their real names on social media
- 84% posted about their interests, their likes, and dislikes
- 82% of teens post their birthdate
- 62% post their relationship status.
- According to a Pew Research survey, only 9% of teens were concerned about third-party companies or government agencies assessing their personal information.
Many teens share their private information on the internet to prune their profiles and boost their reputation on social media. Most young people do not know how social networking platforms collect their data. However, they tend to be pretty relaxed about the concept since using social media platforms is a free trade-off. Internet privacy for teens is crucial for their social and mental well-being.
Things Teens Need To Keep In Mind
Teens need to make sure that they are using the internet securely. Following are the steps teens can take to ensure safe internet browsing.
Footprints on the Internet
Internet privacy needs teens to remember that what they share and post on the internet and their social media platforms will be there for a lifetime. Everybody can see it, including their parents, prospective colleges they hope to get into, and potential employers they would like to work with. So teens should post the best of themselves.
What Is Being Shared?
There are certain risks to posting online, whether a picture or a video. Without caring for internet privacy, teens could be sharing personal information about themselves, like where they live or go to school, and any potential predator can view it. That will put teens in a very vulnerable position.
Privacy
- Teens must learn about online privacy and its limitations to not misuse information about them.
- Teens should ask their friends’ permission before posting pictures or videos that include them.
- Many apps and websites have terms and conditions about using personal information. That shows that they are serious about respecting users’ privacy. If any apps require permission to use personal data, teens need to think twice before letting them have it, just in case.
- Strong passwords and passcodes for their devices help them protect their information if the device is lost or stolen.
- Public Wi-Fi is not secure, and anybody can access a device connected to a public wireless connection and view their content. Teens must be wary of the content they explore on their devices while connected to a shared internet connection. They can also install a VPN or Virtual Private Network on their devices and activate it publicly to secure a connection while browsing the internet.
Conclusion
the internet and social media platforms have been here to stay long. It’s fun to share things with friends, view their lifestyles online, and meet new people with like-minded interests on social media platforms. Teenagers still need to be cautious and limit what they post and share on the internet. Parents should talk to their children about internet privacy for teens and privacy settings and sharing personal information online.
