Ocial Networking In Teenagers’ Lives

1354 Words6 Pages
Do you or someone you know have a social networking site? Chances are if you are like the rest of the world, then you do. More than 60% of today’s teenagers engage in social networking and over 65% of adults have admitted to having at least one form of a social network. Many people use social networking sites as a way to connect with friends and family, hold conversations, express ideas, meet people with similar likes and interests, and gain other technological advances whether related to business or personal matters. Even though social networking does provide many advantages, it can also pose many risks if not used in the correct way. Teenagers should be aware of what they are posting online through social networks. “Social networking sites bring people with common interest together, offer exposure to new ideas from around the world, and lower inhibitions to overcome social anxiety” (procon.org). These are valid points; however predators can use this same information to prey on children. The consequences from sharing personal information include vulnerability to sexual or financial predators. In 2011, Joshua Raymond Wilson, a 27 year old man from Waterloo Iowa, was arrested for stalking and peeking through the window of a 19 year old girl. He gained access to the girl’s address from Facebook. The young girl felt like someone was watching her and called the police who later tracked his footprints in the snow and he was arrested. Parents may think that social networking is no big deal; however teenager’s safety is the issue at hand here. Parents should encourage their children to be careful about the information that they put online. Child predators first use children’s interest to gain their trust. They pose as another child and cause children to believe that they are someone else. A predator can easily use someone else’s picture. Once they have access to this

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