Every now and then a news article appears, shows its ugly little face, and attempts to portray social websites as an evil, unsafe thing for children. My response? Boo! You suck!
Parents need to understand that the world is becoming more e-centric by the minute and children must be prepared for the future. There are 3 key reasons why parents should encourage, not discourage, Social Media use:
- Knowledge — Believe it or not, there’s a wealth of information on social websites because, as the saying goes, “Content is King.” Browsing social sites can and will educate children on a variety topics including world news, politics, cooking, science or whatever their little heart’s desire.
- Social Skills — Communicating on social channels improves social skills and eliminates the feeling of being left out, which many kids experience at one point or another. You can be any color, any religion, look any way, enjoy the most obscure music and you will still be accepted on the Internet — there’s a place for you. And sometimes, the feeling of acceptance is all children need to progress.
- Exploration — I truly believe that putting children under lock and key creates a bounce back effect where they do exactly what you’ve been trying to prevent them from doing. This can be going out late, drinking alcohol, talking to strangers on Twitter, etc. Teach children strong morals and they will ultimately know what’s right and wrong.
I myself am a product of a mother and father that let me explore the Internet like Christopher Columbus did the seas. When I really think about it, if it weren’t for their trust in me to do the right thing and the freedom I was given, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Aaron Schoenberger
twitter.com/TheSchoenberger
(310) 876-0874 x1
The Brainchild Group
Aaron Schoenberger is Founder of The Brainchild Group — a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Social Media Marketing company in Los Angeles, California. He’s known for his work with celebrity clients, top restaurants, automotive manufacturers, professional athletes and Fortune 500 companies.