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Here are some practical tips that we may want to consider:

1. Educate your children about the appropriate uses of social media and the poten-

tial risks associated with the use of it. Having an open line of communication is very
importantfrom the moment your kids start usingthe internet independently. When

it comes to "add" a friend on the social networking sites, it may be hard for the kids
to resist a'friend request" but advise them to 'friend" orly realfriends or people they
have already met. When someone gets in touch with them and makes inappropriate
moves or comments, advise them to block that person and report to an adult. Make
sure their privacy setting on the social media site is "high" which means that only

friends can view their information.

2. Monitor your child's online activity from time to time to make sure there is noth-
ing strange going on. One way to do this is by adding yourself as a'friend" in the
social media platfurms they are using. This way you will come to know who their

online friends are and what they are sharing by monitoring their online activity to
some extent. As a parent, you have all the rights to have full access to their Facebook

friends and can take a look whenever you wish.
3. Install an appropriate antivirus software. There are very good antivirus software

programs available in the mqrket these dryt. By activating the 'parental control'fea-
ture of the antivirus software, you cankeep your children awayfrom unwanted sites,
monitor their internet usage and limit when and for how long they are allowed to

use internet each day. Some antivirus software has features that block online chats
and monitor Facebook posts for risky topics. You can even monitor your child's cell
phone with a software program like AAy Mobile Watchdog.

4. Some companies sell photos from the Internet to advertising agencies. Many

social-networking users are surprised to finh their own photo appearing in adver-
tisements. If yours or your child's photos are being used inappropriately, contact and
report it to your social network site right away.

There are many other safety measures that are not discussed in this article due to size

Iimitation requirement. To conclude, the internet and social media are some of the
most precious gifts that this century has ofered to us all. h all depends on the way
we use it that decides success or failure in our future.

leyendran Mathias, Toronto, Canada