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.
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.
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.
Consider some of these safe alternatives to regular public posting:
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.
Occasionally, we’re a little short-staffed at the office and need to call in some extra help. When those situations arise, we always turn to Jim’s dad, our self-appointed fill-in person at Snell Law. While his name is James R. Snell Sr., we all know him affectionately as Mr. Ross. How does Mr. Ross feel about his son’s chosen profession? “I used to tell my kids, ‘Be whatever you want to be, but be a lawyer first,’” Mr. Ross says with a laugh.“I guess it worked, because both of my kids ended up becoming attorneys.” Mr. Ross spent most of his career running grocery stores before working in human resources for a number of years. He also served 23 years in the U.S. armed forces; first in the Army and then in the National Guard. These days, he’s technically retired, though we’re always happy to call on him for a little work. Mr. Ross describes feeling immensely proud of everything Jim has achieved at his firm.“It’s amazing to see not just what a great attorney Jim is, but also the respect and dignity with which he treats everyone who comes into his office,” Mr. Ross says.“I’d like to think he
learned some of those customer service skills from his days at our grocery stores, but I can’t take any credit for his skills in the courtroom.” Mr. Ross would also like to share some praise for Lee.“She’s the rock of the practice and of our family. Without her, who knows where Jim would be today?” In addition to being our favorite pinch hitter, Mr. Ross has some experience of his own producing newsletters. He sits on the board of the retiree council at Fort Jackson and creates a newsletter designed to connect retired veterans with resources in their area.“For me, it’s an opportunity to do good for others and keep them in the loop,” Mr. Ross says.“We’re lucky to have an amazing veteran community here in South Carolina, and I’m honored to play whatever small role I can within it.” It’s always a joy to have Mr. Ross with us at the office. If he’s not careful, we may just coax him out of retirement permanently.
James R. Snell Sr. MeettheManWeKnowasMr. Ross
2 The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC | P: 803-753-1476
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