Then, I really started to get upset because I could (as an average person) quickly and easily find pages on Instagram that have links to go off to a secure web cam. I found 5 sites just 2 clicks into the people that ‘liked’ my son’s picture on the ilikestrongkids50 account! I immediately reported those sites to Instagram, just to get the same ‘does not go against community policy’ message. And also to other authorities. After that, I just pulled myself away and prayed for those kids that I know are on the other side of computer screens being abused.
I make a vow to bring this to the attention to lawmakers when it comes to children online. Why should any online account have thousands of pictures of minors without parent permission? That’s just the start.
Throughout this experience, I learned a few things:
1) Don’t have a social media account for my kids. It gets ugly and fast. I took my older son’s art one down.
2) Go through my Facebook friends regularly and don’t be afraid to throw some people off that I don’t quite know or trust.
3) Be mindful of hashtags. Or just don’t (that’s me personally).
4) Always check accounts that request a follow. Don’t be afraid to block.
5) Say something. If something seems wrong, it probably is.
Parents of my generation are the first parents to navigate the world as a parent online. The internet was fairly new when I was growing up in the 90’s. I remember having to show my mom how to get on the dial-up modem with America Online Line (AOL). Funny, it was faster to go to the library and get books with the right information for a research paper than it was to find it on the internet. My parents did not worry about online predators, maybe a creepy neighbor. My parents let me ride my bike or drive my car to friends’ houses without a phone or contact. They worried if I was past curfew. Now, with this generation of kids, and us as parents, our kids don’t even have to walk out of their rooms to face danger. I don’t want to bubble wrap my boys (okay, maybe I do a little). This tech generation and how integrated it is in all our lives is such a new world.
I want to leave here with something uplifting. For the most part, social media is 99.99% awesome. Sharing photos, videos, being able to have my own business from home is such a blessing. I’m able to enjoy raising my two boys and be very active in their very active lives. I love being married to a supportive, awesome husband while living in Southern Californian perfect weather. As a parent, we really do belong to a village. It’s just that our village got universal. I hope that my story empowers people to take control of their online life and make it a safer experience.
**This story was written by Andrea Van Wagner of San Diego, California and originally appeared on Love What Matters. Published here with permission.