25-11-14

                                                      GOSSIP GIRLS 

It all started as a joke. But then again, doesn’t everything? I must say I was very disturbed when my sister came running to show me that someone had posted about her, humiliating her on instagram. The post was a three way Photo, elaborating on a non-existant arguement between two friends and of course, a boy. It had never happened to us before, and this affected me directly. I don’t think I will ever forget the tears that stung her eyes when she told me she felt so violated. But surely that can’t be your own sister or daughter being taunted on a social network site? Surely that can’t be your own sister or daughter hiding behind that  smartphone screen, using it as a weapon? Not so smart if you ask me.

I remember thinking about how completely unaware this person was of the power she held within her palm, using an ironically small object when she pressed upload to instagram. So what is instagram you ask ? I should know. I use it everyday, and if there is a teenager living in your house the chances are they probably do to. Instagram is amongst the newest mega-social network sites that allows you to edit photos and post them with the shameless touch of a fingertip. Sounds quite innocent doesn’t it? Well that wasn’t the case here. All you need to destroy a young girl’s reputation on the Internet is two minutes of your time, one or two thirteen- year old girls, a few Pictures and an appealing username. thankfully, in the end the abuser was forced to take the down the account.

So what makes it so unbelievably easy? Well once an Instagram profile has been created, anyone can browse them and follow other Instagram users. There is an option to make an Instagram profile private, and similar to Facebook, users have to send a request to connect to that person. However, as is the case with dating sites and other social networks, online users can create fake names and fake profile photos to make them appear to be someone they are not. I realised that despite the fact social Networks were created to be just that; for socialising with those whom you care about, they can actually just as easily be used as a tool to humiliate and exploit others, as was the case with my sister.

 

This  is why it is understandable that some parents take desperate measures and try to control their children by restricting social media. Nowadays, there is apps available that can be downloaded onto phones like MamaBear. It is a great app for keeping your children safe online. MamaBear has a feature to keep watch over your child’s Facebook feed. You will be alerted to any signs of bullying or use of crude language as well as when they check-in or get tagged on their friends’ photos. The team is working on doing the same for Twitter and Instagram profiles.

A second app would be My Mobile Watchdog. This app offers users with a series of powerful parental controls that allow mum and dad to see phone call logs, read text messages on their teen's phones, as well as find out where your child is through the device's GPS. Parents can also set Web and time use blocking, as well as remotely block and grant access to apps. My Mobile Watchdog takes pains to indicate that they aren't 'spyware', with the app having no stealth mode. That means your kid is aware of being watched. Fortunately for us there are all these apps we can use and measures we can take.

 So to conclude, I strongly think parents need to be aware of the unrestrained authority they may be unconciously giving their children. So I suggest this, parents, go to your teenager’s bedrooms right now. You may find that you know just about everything or absolutely nothing about your child’s online life.

 

By: Mina Lozano Buenrostro

Gumley  House School