Parents, teachers and youth counsellors have been concerned about youth being so engaged in social media that face-to-face engagement with family members and friends is falling to the wayside.
As social media use has grown in recent years, youth have been getting more brazen about what they are sharing with "friends."
Some of the things they are sharing, including partially nude and nude photos, has already got some teens into trouble with the law, including pornography charges for sharing pictures of under-aged children.
At times, this exchange of photos and mean-spirited texting has led to cyber-bullying and all of its life-changing consequences.
Meanwhile, the ages of youth using the social media for this purpose now includes young teens and pre-teens.
This particular use of social media can be dangerous as it could lead to porn sites and the possibility of being lured in by predators.
Equally concerning is the possible significant consequences for uninformed youth who share and/or distribute pornography because it could lead to criminal charges and destroy future opportunities for scholarships and/or jobs.
Parents and youth need to be informed and they will have their opportunity on Dec. 14 to receive that information, so they can protect their families.
This is why Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO), the PSO Parents Advisory Committee and the Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo are bringing social media expert Jesse Miller to 100 Mile House, Dec. 14-15.
Miller will be talking to the PSO student population on Dec. 14.
He says the events will deal with online content management, the impacts of participating online without regard for kindness, laws and expectations set by family and schools.
"The majority of the secondary school presentations will reflect what it means to become a young adult using the Internet for the purpose of education and connection with peers."
Parents and the general public are also invited to Miller's free social media presentation in the PSO gymnasium on Dec. 14, starting at 7 p.m.
Miller will inform folks about the current climate of social media concerns in British Columbia and specifically to 100 Mile House and area.
"The presentation will highlight usage trends, mobile tech behaviours, techniques to introduce positive usage behaviours, and parenting tips to address the tech concerns within the home and from peer groups.
On Dec. 15, Miller will be doing presentations for elementary students at 100 Mile House Elementary School.
"The presentations for each group of kids will cover the themes of digital citizenship, Internet safety and awareness specifically to social media, online video content and online gaming.
People can get more information about Miller and his messages by going to www.mediatedreality.com.
