(ThyBlackMan.com) Speaking for the third year to over 100 Duval County High School students participating in Mayor Alvin Browns’ Learn2Earn Experience at University of North Florida.
Discussing Social Media and Social Networking safety is very important because of the content that is created by students and posted on interactive and dynamic platforms that can extend globally. Students do not realize that they are being judged, evaluated and scrutinized even before they meet people physically. The community already has an idea of who they are either right or wrong through Social Media Content.
Social Networking is booming for youth and teens, it is on the rise because of the integration of technology and its ease of use. Content is important because of the ability to create an impression and share globally and interactivity. Perceptions are important especially when accessing Social Media content to show or show off a skill, ability and talents. Branding a person’s talents and skill sets, technology usage an ever emerging tool, expands the reach and even influence of students.
The misconception for online use is joining every social network, making thousands of friends, sharing personal information and gaining multiple contacts, not applying knowledge correctly is a danger to future opportunities. 
Managing personal access and implementation of resources is common sense, parents should teach their children that they do not have to be friends with everyone and share personal information with strangers. Social Networks are designed to be “Social,” there are guidelines that should be established to keep everyone safe from predators and stalkers like ISIS that are recruiting teens and young adults. Sites like Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Vimeo, and others are user generated content creators meaning that the content is created by the user. Sites like Twitter enable micro-blogging using content that contains 140 characters or less. Each is powerful and allows for diverse connectivity with diverse audiences.
Students in the Learn2Earn Experience learned to manage their online interaction, how important their content is, the social paradigm of engagement; the importance of content and creating a positive perception and positive presence online and what is Branding and how to Market their Brand.
Students need to learn that having an online presence; “social media digital SWAG” does not mean that everyone needs to know who you are, where you are and where you are going. These connections allow collaboration on projects and services that teens would never have imagined only 5 years earlier.
Learn2Earn students have an advantage to interact with experts in their diverse fields, from Angela Spears (special assignment from Mayor Brown’s Office) to educators and technology experts like myself. Education, mentoring and being proactive is very important for parents. Parents should not have to see on Facebook, SnapChat, Vine, and others what their children are doing at home, in school or in their neighborhoods.
Because of Mayor Alvin Brown, his vision for Learn2Earn will continue to be a success as students are exposed to positive experiences, mentored by professionals and guided to higher educational careers, military careers or alternative career opportunities that create life enduring growth and development.
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.