Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
Page 27
Page 28
Page 29
Page 30
Page 31
Page 32
Page 33
Page 34
Page 35
Page 36
Page 37
Page 38
Page 39
Page 40
Page 41
Page 42
Page 43
Page 44
Page 45
Page 46
Page 47
Page 48
Page 49
Page 50
Page 51
Page 52
Page 53
Page 54
Page 55
Page 56
Page 57
Page 58
Page 59
Page 60
Page 61
Page 62
Page 63
Page 64
Page 65
Page 66
Page 67
Page 68
Page 69
Page 70
Page 71
Page 72
Page 73
Page 74
Page 75
Page 76
Page 77
Page 78
Page 79
Page 80
Page 81
Page 82
Page 83
Page 84
GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 51 When youre a nurturing rather than authoritative parent youre educating and empowering kids which will help them learn to think things through themselves. - Dr. Sandy Gluckman Just because you intended something to be private when you sent it does not necessarily mean the other person understands or will respect your intention to keep it private. - James Mueller managing partner Verner Brumley McCurley Mueller Parker This advice seems like common sense but a lot of teens and tweens just arent heeding this advice when they use social media and they are getting themselves into trouble in the process. Just ask attorney James Mueller a managing partner with the Dallas-based family law firm Verner Brumley McCurley Mueller Parker. Some of the things kids put online its going to affect them because it doesnt go away says Mueller. It will follow them in life. As a family lawyer Mueller sees this first-hand. In one custody hearing a daughter gave the judge all these reasons why she didnt want to live with Mom. We found out that when we checked the girls Instagram account she didnt want to live with Mom because Dad allowed her to smoke marijuana and drink while at Dads house recalls Mueller. The next thing you know shes kicked off her sports team the judge has now seen all of this and Dad is in trouble. It all came from one Instagram post. Kids need to realize that everyone looks at their social media activity including teachers coaches lawyers colleges scholarship committees and potential employers. Stories abound in the media about athletes getting kicked off their teams students losing their scholarships and kids getting arrested for questionable antics that got posted on social media. When any potential employee sends me a resume the first thing I do is pull any social media accounts that I can points out Mueller. You can find out an unbelievable amount of information. As the first line of defense Mueller advises parents to play an active role in their kids online lives by providing age-appropriate limits. Dr. Sandy Gluckman a Functional Behavior and Health Therapist agrees. In laying down the rules especially for younger kids its important to give kids the logic behind the rule and provide examples that demonstrate the bad things that could happen says Dr. Gluckman who advises a collaborative approach asking kids what kind of rules they could live with and then negotiate. When youre a nurturing rather than authoritative parent youre educating and empowering kids which will help them learn to think things through themselves. So how can teens and tweens engage with social media in a more responsible way Think before you post If you would be embarrassed to show your grandmother what you are going to post then dont post it. If you would be compromising your safety such as posting where you will be at a certain time or that you are home alone then dont post it. If you would be hurting or embarrassing someone else then dont post it. Assumewhatyoupostisntprivate-evenifyou send it as a private message Mueller points out that just because you intended something to be private when you sent it does not necessarily mean the other person understands or will respect your intention to keep it private. As he says You can only control your action you cant control other peoples actions. Realize what you post is permanent - even if you later delete it Once you hit send you create a permanent cyber- record of your words and images delivered via status updates or news feeds. Someone may have already saved or shared your post by the time you decide to delete it from your account. Be aware that your online activity affects your offline reputation When you realize that other people besides your friends are checking out your social media accounts you are more likely to do the right thing online. Editors Note James Mueller is managing partner at Verner Brumley McCurley Mueller Parker a premier family law firm. vernerbrumley.com Dr. Sandy Gluckman is a functional behavior therapist specializing in drug-free family counseling. ParentsTakeCharge.com goodADVICE