Before the Internet most communication was a one-way street Newspapers magazines radio and TV presented the news and other information But readers listeners and viewers could not participate in the conversation Today the Internet has made that possible It gives the audience a chance to talk back Social media is one way people communicate online Social media websites and apps allow users to post and share information Social media users can access social media on computers cell phones and tablets They share favorite videos or comment on news articles This information unlike an e-mail message is public It can be seen by many others including family friends and sometimes strangers You may never know who has seen your social media posts You may see posts on social media without others knowing you have too WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA Many people may read your social media posts 1 4
2,500 YEARS OF SOCIAL MEDIA Social media did not start on the Internet It was invented in 550 BCE That is when the first postal system was formed Handwritten letters were delivered from one person to another Today’s social media is a lot faster But the concept is still the same people exchanging information and ideas across great distances Social networks are a form of social media Facebook Twitter and Instagram are social networks These sites are like giant cities Your family and friends are your neighborhood You can connect with them to communicate and share photos and interesting links Social networking helps you keep in touch with your digital neighbors 67 Percent of Americans ages 12 and up who used social media in 2014 Social media is a participatory form of online communication that is public Most social media use occurs on the Internet Examples of social media include chatting with friends online and commenting on a news article Instagram Twitter and Facebook are just a few popular social media websites 5
Social media helps you communicate It can also be entertaining Use social networks to send messages to friends Challenge a neighbor to a game of checkers Share photos of your latest art project Make short videos and post them for relatives You can even use social networks to collaborate on class projects Sharing things on social media is easy Finding the right social media site can be more difficult The most well-known sites such as Facebook Twitter and Instagram are for teenagers and adults Kids younger than 13 are not allowed to join But there are sites just for kids Create your own virtual world at Club Penguin Connect with friends and WHAT CAN I DO ON SOCIAL MEDIA You can work on class projects over social media 2 6
family on GeckoLife or Jabbersmack Share your photos on Kuddle Meet kids with similar interests on Yoursphere Kidzworld and iTwixie All of these sites provide good introductions to using social media They are designed with your privacy and safety in mind They are also designed for fun 59 Percent of children who have used a social network by the age of 10 Social media is for entertainment and communication On social media sites you can play games share photos upload videos and talk to friends and family Some social media sites are designed just for kids Kids younger than 13 can join sites such as Jabbersmack and iTwixie 7
