Indian Lake Hosts Internet Safety Expert

Indian Lake Hosts Internet Safety Expert
Posted on 05/10/2017
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If someone posted a book full of all the comments you've left on social media, would you be proud? 

Social media expert Katie Greer posed this question to Indian Lake students in a recent series of assemblies. The former Massachusetts Director of Internet Safety spoke to 9th graders, 5th graders and 6th through 8th graders in separate presentations about the wonders of social media, but also the problems associated with cyber-bullying, dangerous apps and sexting.

She told students that what they do now on social media can follow them into adulthood and could even impact acceptance to college and job opportunities in the future. 

Greer said students must think before they post, “I think it was really important to let them know that this is their brand, this is their reputation. I could have a reputation at school, I could have a reputation with my grades. This is a whole other side of it because this is a reputation that will follow you, so make it a good one. “

In addition, Greer met with parents in a presentation for adults only during the evening at ILHS. 

She told parents, “My approach is not that this stuff is horrible, kids must stay off! My approach is that it is great and we can all work together to make it work for our kids.”

Greer cited a recent study that reveals kids ages 8-18 spend an average of 44.5 hours a week on devices. She suggests setting several boundaries including:

-No devices in a child’s bedroom at night ever

-Spot check their texts and social media accounts

-Limit their friends/followers to only people they personally know

-Have access to your child’s login information

Greer revealed information to parents about apps that are dangerous including Kik, an app that is popular with junior high age kids where they earn incentive points for communicating with complete strangers. 

“If I could blow up an app, it would be Kik because nothing good has ever come from it.”

She also discussed apps that hide information, called vault apps, and how to detect them on a device. She answered questions about private messaging functions that are available on apps like musical.ly and Pinterest. Finally, she also cited a recent Psychology Today article making the case that middle school students are not ready for social media. 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mental-wealth/201703/why-social-media-is-not-smart-middle-school-kids

She told parents, “You are responsible for healthy relationships with these devices. We need to have rules in place to keep kids safe and the earlier, the better. “

Greer's visit is part of the parent engagement component of ILHS's 21st Century Grant. Follow Greer on Facebook at KL Greer Consulting or on Instagram at katielgreer.  

 

 

Because of inclement weather conditions on the east coast, the Katie Greer Social Media presentation for parents and students at Indian Lake is rescheduled. Greer lives in Boston and is unable to fly out because of the winter storm. The event was set for Tuesday, December 13th. It is now set for May 10th. 
Because of inclement weather conditions on the east coast, the Katie Greer Social Media presentation for parents and students at Indian Lake is rescheduled. Greer lives in Boston and is unable to fly out because of the winter storm. The event was set for Tuesday, December 13th. It is now set for May 10th.