The dangers of social media for children, teens, and young adults are becoming increasingly prevalent in today’s society. From cyberbullying to exploitation, the negative impacts of social media on mental health and well-being cannot be ignored. In a recent video discussion with Mark Owen, Tammy Rodriguez, a Safer Social Media Campaigner with the Parents’ Network, shared her heartbreaking story of losing her daughter Selena to suicide after she fell victim to the dark side of social media.
Ms. Rodriguez described how Selena’s behavior changed drastically as a result of her online experiences, becoming aggressive and volatile towards her family. Initially thinking that Selena was being bullied, Ms. Rodriguez later discovered that her daughter was being exploited online. Following Selena’s tragic death, Ms. Rodriguez took legal action against Meta, the parent company of Facebook, in an effort to hold them accountable for their role in her daughter’s demise.
Ms. Rodriguez’s message to parents is clear: they must be actively involved in their children’s lives and pay attention to their online activities. She emphasizes that even intelligent and well-adjusted children can easily be lured into the dangers of social media and spiral out of control. Her hope is that by sharing her story, other parents will take heed and protect their own children from similar tragedies.
The issue of empowering children in the age of social media is a pressing concern that requires immediate action. Parents must educate themselves on the risks associated with social media and take proactive steps to monitor and guide their children in navigating this complex digital landscape. Selena’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from the unchecked use of social media platforms. As Ms. Rodriguez aptly states, “People need to understand that it can be their child.”
Watch the video by FRANCE 24 English
Video “Empowering children in the age of social media: Parents must ‘be involved in their kids lives'” was uploaded on 08/17/2024 to Youtube Channel FRANCE 24 English