The Boy Scouts of America now offers a Social Media Certification. Some of their suggested activities may be great things to do with all your children.

Purposes:

• Be safer while using social media.
• Bring purpose to your use of social media.
• Better understand how to get involved in the discussions happening in social media.
• Get involved in sharing your personal stories and thoughts on what is important to you.
• Flood the earth with good messages.

Below are a few activities you may consider doing with your family. Some are directly from the scout certification, and others I have adapted for families.

1. Discuss with your family safe Internet practices including personal information and pictures when using social media.
2. Discuss with your family ways to avoid negative content.
3. Consider your purposes in using social media. Write them down and share them with your family.
4. Review your social media profiles, including your profile picture and personal information, to be sure you are revealing the appropriate amount of information.
5. Review the things you post on social media to see if they appropriately show who you are and what you stand for.
6. Start at least one positive conversation related to your purpose for using social media.
7. Consider creating a family Facebook group or page. Establish a purpose and plan and invite family members to participate.

For more ideas, see the scouting Cyber Chip and the Internet Safety Pledge.

Read articles about online safety.