Key message
Social media is filled with examples of what happens when something goes viral, either for better or worse. Examples of viral social media posts offer opportunities for conversations with a child about what is and what isn’t appropriate to share.
What to share
- Posts about their interests and activities
- Posts supporting community activities
- Posts raising awareness about issues or events
Positive social media trends promote important issues and bring people together. The 2014 ‘ice bucket challenge’ is a great example of just how far-reaching a trend can be. People shared videos of themselves dumping buckets of ice water on their head to raise awareness of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The ‘ice bucket challenge’ was incredibly popular and raised $115 million in donations for ALS research.
What not to share
- Personal information
- Photos or videos containing inappropriate content
- Photos or videos that could identify where you live or go to school
- Any content about anyone else without their awareness and permission
- Comments that cause harm
Kim Kardashian’s controversial Instagram ad for an ‘appetite suppressant lollipop’, for which she was widely criticised. Many people, including other celebrities, claimed she was encouraging eating disorders and poor body image. Her reputation suffered as a result of this post and she ended up removing the post altogether.