The Wired Homeschool

Teens seem to be losing interest in Facebook according to a recent survey by Pipe Jaffray:

Earlier this year, a couple of slightly anecdotal studies suggested that Facebook was showing its laughter lines and that teens were moving toward exciting places like Tumblr.

Now along comes a survey from Piper Jaffray that suggests teens are increasingly giving Facebook a “meh” rating.
It’s a fascinating survey — offering moving gems such as the fact that teens spend 9 percent of their money on shoes. They do so love Olive Garden, too.

However, in the social-networking realm, tomorrow’s robots seem to be having their doubts.
Facebook still plays a considerable role in their lives, but there’s been a significant decline in teens believing it’s their most important social network.

Only 33 percent of those who participated in the survey listed Facebook as their top choice, versus 42 percent last fall.
Despite that 9 percent plunge, Facebook still headed the list. Twitter, however, is now only 3 percentage points behind. (And it tweeted forward 3 percent in this same period.)

Instagram, now part of Facebook’s happy family, came in third, enjoying a 5 percent gain, but it was still some way behind Twitter.

Fourth place Google+, with a drop of 1 point, did not seem to be breaking the Glass ceiling, or any other.
The survey’s social-networking chart offered that Tumblr wandered in fifth, with a mere 1 percent gain. So perhaps it is not the threat some might imagine.

Piper Jaffray concludes from all this that teens are looking for something that’s more, you know, them. The 5,200 shimmering souls who participated in the survey were given the option of writing in a favorite social site.

You can read more about the survey over at CNet – Teens: Facebook’s becoming more ‘meh’

Your teens will go where their friends are hanging out online. It’s important to know the lay of the land before your kids sign up for certain social media sites. If your kids have an account with more than one site, make sure you have the password so that you can be aware of what they’re sharing. You may even want to join yourself so that you can be better educated about how the site works. It’s also important to remind your kids that anything they share online should be considered public, even if they have privacy settings in place.

What social media sites beside Facebook does your teen use?

As your kids grow up they’re going to want to start using social media, especially if they see you using it.

Every once in a while I here from my kids, “Are you going to put that on [Facebook/Twitter]?” Since we homeschool my kids don’t face as much peer pressure to be active on social media from their peers. Many of the families we know are choosing to wait rather than dive in.

My oldest son didn’t get on Facebook until he was 16 and I’m thinking that’s probably when we may start letting the others start using social media.

This infographic shares some interesting numbers regarding kids and social media.  Knowing this, families need to have a social media strategy.

Set expectations

Even before your kids are old enough to start using social media, you should set expectations.  They should know that you do not plan to let the use social media services until you think they’re ready and that if they go behind your back there will be major consequences.

Remove temptation

It’s trendy and cool for ‘tweens and teens to have smartphones these days but you can minimize the temptation by giving them a simple cell phone without a data plans and that blocks texting.  If they really need a cell phone to contact you “in case of an emergency” the give them just that.

Define parameters

Once you do decide to start letting your kids use social media, define the parameters.  Let them know that you’ll be randomly checking up on them.  Require them to friend you on Facebook or any other social media social media service.  Be sure to remind them that using social media is a privilege not a right and it can be taken away.  Also make sure you go over guidelines and safety tips for using social media.

Stick to your guns

If a situation arises where you need to revoke the privilege of using social media, do it.  Don’t hesitate.  Don’t be cruel or harsh but make sure that they understand why you’re taking away the privilege.  Be clear, understanding, and firm.

It’s not easy parenting in this digital age.  Many parents feel ill-equipped to handle the challenges that social media and the Internet bring but with a little prayer, some forethought, and a lot of grace we can navigate the slippery slope of social media.

What do you think?  Do you have a specific plan for exposing your kids to social media?  Do you share pictures of your kids online?  Leave a comment below to let me know!