Social Media And The Millennials

I am twenty two years old and didn't start using social media until I was about 13 years old. I remember it like it was yesterday, I was so excited to be "cool." I sneakily made a bebo account knowing my parents would not approve of this myspace like social network.  Looking back on it now it was all...dumb. I would come home from school and rush to the computer to talk to my friends who I had just seen only 30 minutes ago. As more social media websites were created the more attached I was to my computer. In all reality it was quite antisocial, I was glued to a computer for at least 3 hours a night "talking" with friends, looking at pictures etc. By the time I was in the tenth grade I was informed by every adult I knew about the dangers of social media, how it could make me vulnerable to unsafe people and what I put on social media can haunt me forever. I was always pretty careful, I never disclosed my location or put anything inappropriate online. Before I would post something on social media I always did the mom and dad test. If I thought they wouldn't approve of what was being posted then I wouldn't post it.

When I was in the twelfth grade I noticed with the boom in technology such as smartphones and tablets, children (yes, children) had social media accounts. Every time would get on my Facebook page I would get a friend request from the children of family friends. Most of them were elementary students and a few middle schoolers. I wasn't taken aback by their age, I was taken aback by the manner in which they were using social media. They would post inappropriate and vulgar things and disclose their location. I've even seen cyber-bullying take place as well. I was especially shocked when my ten year old cousin added me on Facebook! I remember saying to parents "He's ten! Who does he need to keep in touch with?!" 

Our generation is known as Generation Y or the Millennials, because we were born between the years of the late 1980's and early 2000s. The kids that were born in the early 2000s are the one's who got involved in social media at a very young age. I believe this is due to the fact that they don't know what life is like without social media and technology. They are so attached to it, and in a sense anti-social. I worry if all of our social media and technology was taken away, would they know how to live? In addition to this I believe they are unaware of how to use social media correctly. If I could give the young millennials any advice it would be...

3. Don't post everything!- Potential employers and universities can see your social networking websites and if they find something that they don't like it could cost you a job or a college education. You can never go wrong with the mom and dad test! If they wouldn't approve don't post it. 

2. DO NOT POST YOUR LOCATION!-This is so so so important! No one needs to know where you are, it puts you and those around you in danger. 

3. What you say online can be misunderstood and taken out of context. It's kind of like a game of telephone you write something but people can completely misunderstand what you say. Always think twice before you post!

What other tips do you have for the young millennials? 

Until next time! 

Dahlia