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Let’s face it, as parents we are never going to outsmart teenagers when it comes to social media. They’ve come into the world pre-programmed to navigate the digital world. However, when it comes to teens and drug use, it’s important for parents to know that social media often plays a huge role in introducing kids to drugs.

I came across an article recently that I think every parent should read in order to understand how social media promotes drug use and how to protect the children from getting ensnared. I am reposting most of the article, but there is a section I suggest you go to the site to see. It includes popular emojis used when communicating about specific drugs and those who deal them.

We have to do everything we can to help our kids avoid drug use and addiction. We can only do that if we know how they are communicating on social media.

Social Media: Understanding A Teen’s World

Through different hashtags (#s) they can be exposed to offers from dealers to buy drugs through various social sites. 

It is never too late for parents to get acquainted with the various social apps (applications), and the slang terms many of them use to communicate while texting and using social media. 

Some popular ones include:

• Instagram (app where users share photos and videos)
• Snapchat (app where users can create and share photos, videos. The content is meant to disappear after the person views them)
• TikTok (a social network where users can create and share videos)
• Tumblr (users can post photos, videos, gifs and more in a microblogging format)
• Twitch (app where users can livestream themselves playing video games and interact with viewers)
• YouTube (users can create and watch videos)

Did you know?

• These apps are free to download from app stores.
• Kids are often one step ahead of their parents in the latest privacy settings, allowing them to block you from viewing their activity, be on private, and hide their friends lists
• On average, teens spend more than 7 hours a day in front of a screen (outside of schoolwork)

How do you help a child develop skills to make good choices? Ensure they use their online privileges wisely? Avoid inappropriate behavior or inaccurate information?

1. Talk to your teen about the implications of their actions when using the internet and social media.
2. Monitor what they do online and on the phone by learning about the websites and mobile apps they use.
3. Block inappropriate content by using parental control features to monitor and manage your teen’s computer use. Buy parental control software that allows you to view recorded computer, smartphone and tablet activity from the internet.
4. Learn about the slang and emojis that kids use while texting on their phones, posting on social media, or DMing (direct messaging) other users.

Check out a few popular emojis people use when communicating about drugs via text at the very end of the article by clicking here:

https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/family/drug-use-internet-social-media