The Secrets of Social Media

All illustrations by Tatsiana Burgaud

Media Literacy

You might think you're ready to join TikTok or Instagram. But do you know how to be thoughtful and responsible online?

January 17, 2022

As You Read, Think About: What are some ways to be a good digital citizen?

Digital Decisions

Watch a video to learn how to handle sticky situations in the digital world.

Anyone who uses the internet has a digital footprint—a trail they leave behind. It includes anything you post or that is posted about you. Your digital footprint can be searched, copied, and shared. It can also be permanent. That’s why experts say it’s important to keep your footprint positive.

Doing that isn’t always easy. Most social media apps require that users be at least 13 years old. Younger kids need a parent or guardian to set up an account with them and monitor it. But even with the help of an adult, navigating the digital universe can be tricky.

“There are going to be many ,” says social media expert Emily Weinstein. “There’s no one rule that will save us from every situation.”

Luckily, Weinstein, along with a few Scholastic News readers, has some tips for how to be a good .

More than 1/3 of 10-year-olds in the U.S. own smartphones.

^{Source: Common Sense Media}

Deleted But Not Gone

Ten-year-old Andy from New York thought TikTok would be all fun all the time. Then he posted goofy videos of himself and realized how many people viewed them.

“I was embarrassed,” Andy says. “And I regretted it.”

But if Andy deletes his posts, they’ll disappear forever, right? Not exactly. People can share screenshots of the posts. Plus, information can be stored online and we don’t realize it.

“It’s just not always possible to delete, which is why it’s super important to think before we post,” explains Weinstein.

Weinstein says good digital citizens also consider others. It’s a great idea to always ask friends for permission before posting photos of them or tagging them.

^{Source: Cyberbullying Research Center; Cartoon Network}

Digital Drama

Namya also joined TikTok, but she had a different experience than Andy. The 10-year-old from Washington State used to love posting dance challenge videos.

“At first it was fun,” Namya says. “Then the drama started.”

People began posting rude comments on her videos. Namya’s situation is not unique. A recent study showed that one out of seven kids between the ages of 9 and 12 has been cyberbullied.

“Some people say things online they’d never say to another person’s face,” Weinstein explains.

You might think immediately responding to negative comments is the right thing to do. But experts say that will only keep the drama going. Instead, they suggest, tell a trusted adult and report the comments to the people who run the app.

Namya has a simple tip to avoid drama to begin with.

“Be kind to others,” she says.

8- to 12-year-olds spend nearly 5 hours on screens daily (not including school or homework)

^{Source: Common Sense Media}

Kathryn recently found herself in the middle of a different kind of digital drama. The 12-year-old from Louisiana has nearly 200 “friends” on the gaming app Roblox. But she knows only a few of them in real life. During a chat, she told people her name and birthday. When Kathryn realized her mistake, she felt nervous.

“I wished I could undo the chat, but I couldn’t,” she says.

Experts warn that it’s dangerous to give away personal information online. But it’s not just what you say in a chat that could reveal clues about you.

“It might seem like fun to tag a location on a picture, but that location shows exactly where you are,” says Weinstein.

Weinstein says no matter what, always trust your feelings. If you’re worried or uneasy, something is not right.

“Tell an adult right away,” she urges.

Close-Reading Questions

Based on the article, what is a “digital footprint”?
Why shouldn’t kids count on being able to delete social media posts?
Why does the author put quotation marks around the word “friends” in the section “Beware of the Share”?