A panel discussion was held at P.S. Jones earlier this week that focused on bringing parents, grandparents and other guardians up to speed on the ins and outs of social media.

The Social Savvy Night was part of the Bright Futures initiative, a program that connects local businesses, faith-based organizations and residents via social media to meet specific needs of students in the school system. The event was a partnership between Bright Futures and John Small Elementary PTA and showcased several speakers that presented information about social media sites that many students use.

The panel gave attendees a better understanding of the social media their children may be using and featured a distinction between the positive and negative ways social media can be used.

The panel discussion was a very valuable resource for many parents and guardians. Tweens and teens using social media must realize that the content they post on social media sites can be searched and accessed by schools, law enforcement and employers. Negative use of social media such as cyber bullying is not only a big issue in schools presently, but it lowers the self-esteem of those being bullied and causes the offender to possibly face variable offenses like suspension from school.

Many employers and schools monitor the social media of applicants and potential employees so negative or offensive content could be the difference in landing a job or entrance into college.

The panel discussion touched on all these issues and educated parents and guardians about how their kids could be using social media and how to monitor what their kids are doing.

One of the most important things for kids and even adults to remember is that one’s digital footprint is permanent. Regardless of whether content is deleted from social media, it can still be searched and found so it is important to be mindful of what one posts before doing so.

The discussion was the first in a series of forums, according to Robin McKeithan, Washington Beaufort Chamber of Commerce business manager. This fall, an event will be held at Washington High School to educate students on social media, how it can be negatively and positively used and how negative use can be detrimental to their future.