What the Tech: Are social media companies doing enough to protect your kids online?
BY JAMIE TUCKER, Consumer Technology Reporter
Social media platforms say they’re making progress in protecting kids. But one mom who works
in tech says that’s not what the data shows, and she’s urging parents to pay closer attention.
“Self-harm, suicide, sexual content, anxiety, bullying, disordered eating, predators, violence, the
rate that children are experiencing things online continues to rise,” says Titania Jordan, the Chief Parenting Officer at Bark.
Jordan has spent years working with families and technology and says even so-called “safe” apps aren’t immune.
“Pinterest, full of recipes and crafts, also has messaging features where strangers can talk to
your child. Roblox, wildly popular with kids under 12, is also always in the news for their major
issues with predators.”
But the threat that’s growing fastest, she says, is sextortion — and the targets are getting
younger.
“It’s boys. Nine-, ten-, eleven-year-old boys. They think they’re talking to a girl their age. They’re not,” says Jordan.
“Smart children, loved children, children that make straight-As and are star athletes and
giving volunteers fall victim to this.”
Jordan says even schools going device-free during class hours can only do so much. The real
risk happens at night, behind closed doors.
“Please don’t think my child would never or I’ll know if my child is experiencing x, y, z.>” says Jordan. “Good kids make bad choices. And bad things are happening to children at much higher rates than anyone might realize.”
Smartphones and social media have more parental control, but Jordan says kids will always find ways around them.
The most important thing for families is to reduce the shame, let them know they can always come to you. It’s the most important thing you can do to protect your child.
