Social Media

A recent survey reveals that Instagram and Snapchat are the social media platforms of choice for a majority of teenagers, according to The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs research done late last year. The survey also reveals social media use trends related to race and class, indicating that black teens are often the first to move to new platforms. Amanda Lenhart, the lead researcher on the poll, whose work has focused on teenagers and social media use, writes "It speaks to the level of embeddedness of the technology in black youth's lives and their willingness to move into new platforms more quickly than their counterparts."

Facebook, Google, YouTube and other social media sites recently took a lot of heat for running the ads of mainstream companies with videos that promoted hate speech or extreme racist and radical views. Now it appears that the pendulum has drifted to the other extreme, and the change in YouTube's algorithm affecting display ads has been dubbed "the adpocalypse" by small, independent creators of YouTube content who have been swept up unfairly in the changes and are reporting significant revenue losses. The updates are meant to prevent ads from displaying near extremism and hate speech, but have affected shows on topics including video games, progressive and conservative commentary, and the military.

Facebook, Google, YouTube and other social media sites recently took a lot of heat for running the ads of mainstream companies with videos that promoted hate speech or extreme racist and radical views. Now it appears that the pendulum has drifted to the other extreme, and the change in YouTube's algorithm affecting display ads has been dubbed "the adpocalypse" by small, independent creators of YouTube content who have been swept up unfairly in the changes and are reporting significant revenue losses. The updates are meant to prevent ads from displaying near extremism and hate speech, but have affected shows on topics including video games, progressive and conservative commentary, and the military.

No one says the risks of using social media are not real, but with millions of kids using these kinds of apps every day, only a tiny fraction of them misusing it. Is it okay to stop worrying about your kids and social media just a bit? Common Sense Media takes up the topic in a new article entitled 5 Reasons You Don't Need to Worry About Kids and Social Media, reminding us that social media strengthens friendships, offers a sense of belonging, and offers support to those who feel marginalized. Social media can even help kids do good by providing chances to participate in community service or raising awareness for people in need. Check out this collection of sites that awaken a sense of social responsibility in kids.

No one says the risks of using social media are not real, but with millions of kids using these kinds of apps every day, only a tiny fraction of them misusing it. Is it okay to stop worrying about your kids and social media just a bit? Common Sense Media takes up the topic in a new article entitled 5 Reasons You Don't Need to Worry About Kids and Social Media, reminding us that social media strengthens friendships, offers a sense of belonging, and offers support to those who feel marginalized. Social media can even help kids do good by providing chances to participate in community service or raising awareness for people in need. Check out this collection of sites that awaken a sense of social responsibility in kids.

PiperJaffray, a Wall Street firm that specializes in technology, reports that some less popular social sites such as Tumblr and Kik are seeing user numbers fall as teens aged 14 to 18 concentrate their social networking on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The research found that 81% of teens use Snapchat, 79% use Instagram, 56% user Twitter, and 51% use Facebook.

PiperJaffray, a Wall Street firm that specializes in technology, reports that some less popular social sites such as Tumblr and Kik are seeing user numbers fall as teens aged 14 to 18 concentrate their social networking on Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. The research found that 81% of teens use Snapchat, 79% use Instagram, 56% user Twitter, and 51% use Facebook.

A newly updated list of resources on cyberbullying and digital safety is available on the web site of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Washington. A wide range of topics is included such as sexting, cyberbullying and family background resources.

A newly updated list of resources on cyberbullying and digital safety is available on the web site of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for the State of Washington. A wide range of topics is included such as sexting, cyberbullying and family background resources.

Officials in England are discussing a program in which data from the Facebook accounts of students and their parents could be used to predict a drop in academic performance. Officials say their review would be restricted to open online forums of individuals and groups on social media. While many feel this could be a useful tool in preventing problems before they start, there is always the concern of invasion of privacy.