Socially Secure Social Media Reminders for Parents Social media has been making the world smaller than ever. The distance among cross-country relatives and friends shrinks with each post or Skype call. And instant updates from loved ones are particularly valuable during the holidays. That Christmas morning video call means Grandma and Grandpa get to see their grandkids in their new holiday outfits, but so can online predators. According to digital and safety experts, half of the photos filtered onto the darknet are stolen from parents’ social media accounts. If these predators are privy to your photos, they’re also able to snag your location and other sensitive information, putting you and your children at physical risk as well. On a less disturbing note, social media content is permanent. Even after you delete a post or a photo, it leaves a digital footprint that could follow your child throughout their education and could even affect job interviews or future relationships. It’s still possible for you to foster a sense of privacy in the digital age, but it’s important to respect what your child deems private information. After all, it’s their future. Consider these rules before you share. 1. Ask your child’s permission. If they can speak, then they can speak for themselves. Children love to see photos of themselves, but they may also be aware of what they are and aren’t comfortable with, even at a young age. 2. Limit the nudity. Everyone loves a beach day, but think twice before posting swimsuit or skinny-dipping pictures. Opt to post safer photos, like the family posing prior to fun in the sun. 3. Check your settings. Your privacy settings may be exposing your family to more people than you know, and if you feel the need to share every minute of your child’s day online, making these settings airtight will protect your children and their reputations. 1. Tinybeans.com is a secure photo-sharing website for parents of babies and young children. The digital photo album app allows you to share photos with only the people you choose. 2. Create a separate, secure group on Facebook. Family, friends, or coworkers in closed groups can still fawn over their little ones in a personal, safe setting. Despite the dangers your digital life can elicit, you don’t have to avoid the digital world completely. Social media is still a great tool for families to stay connected, as long as you take precautions. Go ahead and brag about your kids online — just be safe and considerate of your child’s wishes. Consider some of these safe alternatives to regular public posting:
A BOLD NEW YEAR … A BOLD NEW YOU
With the arrival of the new year, you may be thinking about resolutions. You want to kick a few bad habits and start a few good ones, but where do you start? How do you keep those resolutions up? Here are a few ideas to get you going: Cook healthier. Say goodbye to foods high in sugar and fat. When you incorporate more fruit, vegetables, and lean proteins into your diet and eliminate excess sugar and fat, it’s much easier to get into shape. You simply need accountability. Remove sugary snacks and fast food from your budget, then get a healthy living accountability buddy — someone you can talk to about your food and exercise habits and can help you stay on track. Develop a budget. Hold yourself accountable and create a weekly, monthly, and yearly budget. Set specific amounts for bills, groceries, clothes, entertainment, and so on. If your bank offers a smartphone app, use it to help you track your spending, and couple that with a smartphone app like Mint to make budgeting easier than ever. Minimize clutter. Getting rid of clutter can be harder than getting into shape. We have things that have sentimental value or things we think we’ll need later. Don’t focus on the “later” or the memories. Focus on what is best for you today. Go through your home, room by room, including the garage, carport, or shed, and get rid of things you don’t use, want, or need. Box everything up for a garage sale this spring — or better yet, donate it! Make a bold statement. A great way to feel good in the new year is to change up your style. Pick out a few new outfits (as long as they’re in your budget and you donate old clothes in exchange) or make a bold choice in eyewear. Your eyewear can tell a story of who you are. Say goodbye to conventional eyewear, and say hello to a bold, brand-new you! NewYear’s Resolutions for aBetter You
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