As a teacher, aunt, and nonprofit creator, I always find it helpful to create expectations versus rules, in order to get greater value out of what you are doing.

 

The internet is an awesome tool to learn, connect with your friends and peers, and share meaningful content with others. Social media platforms such as Tik Tok and Snapchat can be fun ways to express yourself to the world and connect with friends. 

 

Yes, it is important to have fun, but being mindful while you post online is critical to maintaining a good reputation. Your reputation is how others view you and feel about you, and when you use social media, you are making your mark on this world and showing people who you are. 

 

Through being mindful of your audience, using our social media etiquette checklist, and focussing on creating a positive impact online, you can showcase the best version of yourself!

 

Know Your Audience

 

It is important to know who can see and interact with the posts you share on social media. Your social media account settings determine who can view your posts. For example, an account with privacy settings set to “public” can be viewed by anyone, whereas an account set to “private” can only be seen by the people you allow. 

 

Most times, it is recommended that you set your personal social media accounts to a private setting, so that only your friends and peers that you approve can see your posts and interact with you online. 

 

If you want to start a ‘public’ account on a social media platform, make sure that you check in with a parent or guardian first. This way, you can be sure that your privacy is protected!

 

Social Media Etiquette Checklist 

 

Before you post, it is a good idea to ask yourself the following questions: 

 

  • Is this something I would feel comfortable sharing with my parents, grandparents, or teachers?
  • Is my post free of any inappropriate words, actions, or images?
  • Am I being respectful of my peers and outside viewers?

 

If you feel that the answer to any of the above questions is “No”, then you should take a second to re-think the post you want to share. Ask yourself how you can change your post in order to be respectful and polite! 

 

Making a Positive Impact

 

Social Media is a great way to express your talents and interests online. One positive way to use social media is to share your hobbies. Consider the activities you enjoy doing, whether that is your favorite sport, creating music, dancing, playing video games, or even just being outside! Sharing content that shows you in your best element can help you find peers that support your same interests, and can inspire others to share their talents online as well! 

 

Sharing your hobbies can be not only fun, but can be a great way to build and strengthen your personal brand. Your personal brand is a mix of the qualities, interests, and strengths you have as an individual, and using social media to highlight these attributes can be rewarding in the long-run. This can help you stand out as a unique student when it comes time to apply to colleges, jobs, and extracurricular programs. 

 

For example: Students’ who used their passion for music to start a music club after- school in their neighborhood can demonstrate how they turned their passion into a leadership opportunity. 

 

The possibilities are endless, but one thing is certain; the more that student’s use online platforms to promote positive ideas and activities, the more they will showcase themselves as leaders. Colleges value leadership and passion, so don’t be afraid to showcase your unique talents and ideas online! 

 

Kids’ Choice believes that behaving responsibly online is one of the keys to a successful future.  If you have an idea or tip relating to social media etiquette, please feel free to share it in the comment section below! 

 

<https://kidschoiceinc.org/school/>