Social Media and Online Safety for Teens with Blindness

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In today’s digital era, social media has become an integral part of our lives, enabling us to connect, engage, and express ourselves like never before. However, alongside its many benefits, social media presents safety challenges, particularly for specific demographics such as blind or low-vision youth. As technology and social media platforms continually evolve, staying informed about the latest safety measures is essential to help your child navigate and remain safe online.

Accessibility and Safety in Social Media

While social media platforms have made strides in accessibility, blind and low-vision youth need to access these spaces confidently and securely. Key aspects include understanding platform features, recognizing potential risks, and implementing strategies to mitigate them. Here are some ways to enhance accessibility and safety:

Enhancing Accessibility Features:

• Use audio descriptions or closed captioning to make posts more accessible.
• When using hashtags, capitalize each word (e.g., #SocialMediaSafety) to improve readability with screen readers.
• Add accessibility features to posts, such as alt text for images, to ensure content is inclusive.

Advocating for Better Accessibility:

• Encourage platforms to develop more comprehensive and intuitive accessibility settings.
• Provide feedback to social media companies about the accessibility needs of users who are blind or have low vision..

Platform Safety Features

Most social media platforms offer robust safety features to protect users’ privacy and security. These include:

• Privacy Settings: Make accounts private to control who can see your posts.
• Message Controls: Limit who can send direct messages or comments.
• Reporting and Blocking Tools: Utilize features to report or block abusive or suspicious accounts.

Challenges for Blind and Low-Vision Users:

• Safety settings may not always be easily accessible. It’s crucial to advocate for more intuitive designs that support all users, ensuring everyone has equal access to safety tools.

Preventing Cyberbullying

The facelessness of the internet can sometimes lead to malicious behavior, increasing the risk of cyberbullying for youth with blindness. To combat this:

Create a Supportive Network:

• Parents, educators, and peers should collaborate to provide a supportive environment.

Educate on Digital Etiquette:

• Teach respectful communication and the potential harms of cyberbullying.
• Encourage reporting of any incidents and provide tools to navigate these situations safely.

Safeguarding Personal Information

Protecting personal information is vital to prevent exploitation:

• Use Text-to-Speech Tools: Help review posts to ensure no sensitive information is accidentally shared.
• Understand Location-Sharing Risks: Be cautious with location-sharing features that could pose safety risks.

Interacting with Strangers

Interacting with people outside one’s immediate social circle can be both exciting and risky:

• Maintain Boundaries:
  • Teach the importance of maintaining boundaries when interacting with strangers online.
  • Identify and recognize red flags to watch out for in online interactions.
• Parental Safeguards:
  • Use parental monitoring apps like Bark or Family Keeper to manage online safety.
  • Establish safe boundaries and expectations to help your child navigate their newfound independence.
  • Set profiles to private

Screen Time and Mental Health

Balancing screen time is crucial for maintaining mental health:

• Limit Excessive Screen Time:
  • Encourage physical activities, offline hobbies, and face-to-face socializing to maintain a healthy balance.
• Address Negative Impacts:
  • Monitor for unhealthy comparisons and negative self-esteem linked to social media usage.

Tips from the FBI and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

The FBI, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), warns about the rise in financial sextortion—where children and teens are coerced into sending explicit images or extorted for money.

What to Do If Victimized:

1. Understand Blame: Remember, the predator is to blame, not your child or you.
2. Seek Help: Do not comply with demands. Reach out for assistance.
3. Report the Incident:
   • Contact your local FBI field office.
   • Call 1-800-CALL-FBI or report online at tips.fbi.gov.
   • Use NCMEC resources to remove explicit content and seek support.
4. Educate Yourself and Your Child: Learn about sextortion and discuss safety strategies using resources like Sextortion: What Kids and Caregivers Need to Know — FBI.

Checking in with Your Child

Regularly checking in with your child about their social media and online activities helps maintain open communication. Discussing online experiences, setting boundaries, and reflecting on their mental health are key to healthy social media use. Ensuring the safety of blind and low-vision youth on social media is a shared responsibility. By equipping these young people with the necessary knowledge and tools, we can help them participate confidently and safely in the digital world.

Frequently Asked Questions