Children and social media: virtual threats lead to real consequences

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  With advances in technology over the past decade, social media and other forms of electronic communication have skyrocketed, allowing people from all corners of the world to connect instantaneously.

While it may seem safe and harmless, these means of faceless interactions have also made children easier targets for predators and harassment.

To help combat these virtual threats, the 4th Fighter Wing welcomed representatives from the Wayne County Sheriff's Office for a seminar recently to promote awareness of the possible dangers and exploitation opportunities facing today's youth.

"Every day brings a new threat to our children in one way or another," said Lt. Thomas Flores, Wayne County Sheriff's Office financial crimes unit. "As parents, we have to stay vigilant in our efforts to protect them at all costs."

During the seminar, Flores discussed the negative impacts of online networking, including sexting, cyber bullying and exposure to inappropriate content.

"Once you send something into cyberspace, whether it's an image or a message or anything, there's no getting it back," said Jamie Livengood, military liaison counselor for Wayne County public schools. "Parents and children alike need to keep that in mind when getting online."

According to Livengood, information about the dangers of being online is also being disseminated throughout Wayne County public schools in an effort to further reach the community's youth.

One of the other focuses of the seminar, which is also being emphasized in school awareness practices, was cyber bullying.

According to Flores, cyber bullying can range anywhere from sending harassing or threatening comments to photoshopping pictures to spreading rumors across virtual mediums. As opposed to face-to-face tormenting, cyber bullying has the tendency to spread faster and reach wider audiences.

"You really have to keep in touch with your child when it comes to cyber bullying because it's not like they're coming home with bruises or black eyes," Flores said. "The wounds are under the skin. You have to ask the tough questions sometimes to make sure they're not being victimized."

For more information about the seminar, visit www.netsmartz.org or call the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at (919) 731-1481.