Where Your Teens Are Hanging Out Online

By Tracey Dowdy:

As a mom, I try – try being the key word in this sentence – to keep up with trends in social media. It helps that it’s part of my job. But honestly, there are days when it feels like I’m jogging with a greyhound – there’s just no way to keep up.

Inevitably, when parents do catch up and get onboard with the latest and greatest, we immediately “mom it up” and our kids start to leave in droves.

So, in the hopes of helping you keep up without embarrassing your children, here are some of the most popular sites, what they’re about, and why they’re popular:

Twitter

Twitter isn’t new – it’s been around since 2006 – but it’s steadily gained popularity, particularly among teens. Limited to 140 characters, Twitter is a microblogging site that provides a platform to share snippets of your day and keep up with breaking news, major sporting events, and celebrity gossip.

When you join Twitter, you choose to follow other users and their tweets then show up in your Twitter feed. Your own tweets can be seen by people that choose to follow you. Tweets can be deleted but users should keep in mind that, like everything else online, our words can still come back to haunt us. Teens like Twitter it because it takes what they like best about Facebook – sharing every waking moment and detail – and shrinks it down to a manageable sentence or two.

Instagram

Instagram lets users post photos or 15 second videos either to a group of followers or publicly. Like Twitter, users can follow friends, strangers or celebrities and leave ‘likes’ or comments. Photos can be edited and filters utilized to create different effects.

Instagram recently added a private message feature, so users can post a photo to up to 15 friends and the photo won’t show up in a user’s regular feed. Likes are a big deal in the world of Instagram, so though the Terms and Conditions specify that sexually suggestive photos may not be posted, users may push the envelope of what is considered acceptable to draw more likes. Teens like it as it takes what they like about Facebook – endless selfies – and lets them filter and edit those duck-faces into artsy photos.

Snapchat

Snapchat has received a lot of negative attention as a way for teens to sext. In theory, the photos disappear after just 1-10 seconds (users determine how long recipients can view the photo) but the problem is that 1-10 seconds is plenty of time for recipients to take a screenshot. As with any form of social media, there are those who will abuse it but, for the most part, teens like Snapchat because it’s another way to connect, be silly and have fun.

Tumblr

Think of Tumblr as an online scrapbook. Users create “Tumblogs” (Tumblr blogs) of images, text and videos, and share their blogs with a list of friends or leave them public. Users can create private profiles but only after creating an initial profile that stays public. Tumblr is a lot of fun – it’s basically a cross between Twitter and Instagram – but content is far less regulated. Sexually explicit language and images are easy to find, as are posts related to self-harm, drugs or other topics parents may find objectionable. For the most part, that’s not why teens are using it. Teens like it for the obvious reason: it’s fun.

Vine

Vine allows users to create and post looping six-second video clips grouped by categories like Art, Music and Dance, Comedy or Style. Videos are intended to be fun, but again, it’s not hard to find objectionable content. Teens like Vine because it’s entertaining and users get to be creative.

Ultimately, like every other area of parenting in our digital age, it’s up to you to decide how much you need to screen and monitor your teen’s activity and what sites are appropriate.

Tracey Dowdy is a freelance writer based just outside Toronto, ON. After years working for non-profits and charities, she now freelances and researches on subjects from family and education to pop culture and trends in technology.

Comments:

  1. It’s actually a cool and useful piece of information. I am glad that you just shared this helpful
    information with us. Please stay us up to date like this.
    Thank you for sharing.

  2. Hello there, simply become aware of your blog via Google, and located that it is truly informative.
    I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful for those who continue this in future.
    Many people can be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

    Here is my blog post – Forti Prime Reviews

  5. I loved as much as you will receive carried out
    right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case
    you shield this increase.

    Feel free to surf to my web page: http://www.meteoritegarden.com/

  6. Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and
    i was just curious if you get a lot of spam feedback? If so
    how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any support is very
    much appreciated.

    My web page; hotelforrest.ru

  8. Wonderful goods from you, man. I have take into account your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely great.
    I really like what you have bought here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which in which you assert it.
    You are making it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart.
    I can not wait to read much more from you. That is actually a wonderful web
    site.

    Feel free to surf to my site :: Dermal Pearle Ingredients

  11. I would like to show thanks to the writer just for
    rescuing me from this circumstance. Just after checking through the the net and getting proposals that were not beneficial, I thought my entire life was over.
    Existing devoid of the answers to the issues you have solved
    all through the short article is a critical case, and those
    which may have in a negative way damaged my entire career if
    I hadn’t come across the blog. Your own personal mastery and kindness in handling a lot of things was vital.

    I am not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t encountered such a solution like
    this. It’s possible to at this time look forward to my future.
    Thanks very much for your professional and sensible help.
    I won’t think twice to propose the blog to any individual who should have assistance about this issue.

    My website … Advanced CBD Review

  12. Thank you for every other informative website. Where else could I am getting that
    type of info written in such an ideal manner?
    I have a project that I’m simply now running on, and I have
    been on the glance out for such information.

    Here is my webpage; Reina

  15. I am really inspired together with your writing talents as neatly as with
    the format on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did
    you customize it your self? Anyway keep up the excellent high quality writing, it’s rare to look a great blog like this one today..

    my blog: Forti Prime Ingredients

  16. Wow, amazing blog format! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for?
    you made blogging look easy. The full glance of your website is
    magnificent, as smartly as the content![X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]I just could not leave your website
    prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the usual information a person provide for your visitors?
    Is gonna be again steadily to inspect new posts.

    Here is my blog post: D-Fine8 Reviews

  18. I beloved up to you will obtain performed proper here.
    The caricature is attractive, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you want be delivering the following.
    in poor health no doubt come further until now again as precisely the same just about a
    lot incessantly inside of case you protect this hike.

    Also visit my blog … Ardent Male Enhancement Review

  21. Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉
    I’m going to revisit once again since i have saved as a favorite it.
    Money and freedom is the best way to change,
    may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

  22. Attractive part of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to claim
    that I get in fact loved account your weblog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing on your augment or even I achievement
    you get right of entry to constantly fast.

    Here is my blog post True Keto 1800 Reviews

  23. hello!,I like your writing very much! share we keep in touch more about your article on AOL?
    I need a specialist in this area to solve my problem.

    May be that is you! Taking a look forward to see you.

    Here is my web site – shihan.com.ru

  25. I would like to use the opportunity of saying thanks to you
    for your professional guidance I have often enjoyed checking out your site.
    I’m looking forward to the particular commencement of my school research and the general
    preparing would never have been complete without visiting your site.
    If I may be of any help to others, I’d be delighted to help via
    what I have gained from here.

    Have a look at my web page … shihan.com.ru

  26. I still can’t quite believe that I could become one of those reading the important
    points found on this blog. My family and I are really thankful for the
    generosity and for offering me the chance to pursue our chosen career path.
    Many thanks for the important information I got from your web-site.

    Feel free to surf to my webpage VirgoFX Male Enhancement

  27. When I originally commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now
    whenever a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment.
    There has to be a way you can remove me from
    that service? Thank you!

    my web-site; prettypeople.club

  29. I have not checked in here for some time since I thought it was getting boring,
    but the last several posts are good quality so I
    guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist.
    You deserve it my friend 🙂

    my blog post – Tyree

  31. Greetings, I think your blog may be having browser compatibility problems.
    Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it’s got
    some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Aside from that, wonderful website!

    My webpage; burn fat

  32. This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.

    I’ve joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post.

    Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!

  34. I blog frequently and I seriously thank you for
    your information. Your article has truly peaked my interest.
    I will take a note of your blog and keep checking for new
    information about once a week. I opted in for your Feed as well.

  40. Adam genc kizi domaltarak sikti siktiren young wife porn italyan karinin kıllı amı yeşilçam türkçe sek porno şikiş izle pleyboy foto galeri am resim.
    Ancak her ne kadar sanal da olsa rokettube türkiye gibi porno
    izleme siteleri penisleri biraz da olsa rahatlaştırıyor.
    Bu sıcak havalarda gölgeye geçerek ister yanınızda.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended Articles

Monitoring Your Teen’s Online Social Life

7 Social Media Mistakes You Should Try and Avoid

7 Useful Things to Know About Facebook

Parental Guides for Instagram and Snapchat

TwitterTips

10 Essential Twitter Tips