This document discusses engaging youth in social media and considerations for Clemson University programs. It notes that some youth programs had started using Facebook instead of websites. However, Facebook prohibits those under 13 from using the site, though many children lie about their age. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act regulates how websites can collect information from those under 13. The document outlines additional guidelines for Clemson programs using social media with minors, such as considering the appropriate platform, maintaining appropriate relationships, and getting parental permission before posting photos. It was reported that Facebook is developing ways for parental involvement for those under 13.

1. Engaging Youth in Social Media?
Discovery and the lessons learned
Peter Tögel, ptogel@clemson.edu
Walker Massey, emassey@clemson.edu
Follow our PSA Team @: http://twitter.com/psamarketing

2. Discovery
• Youth programs at the University started to use Facebook instead of their
websites to inform their audience.
• Children were tagged on photos after events.

3. Facebook
• Facebook currently prohibits children under the age of 13 from using its site.
• Children are smart enough to know how to lie about their age to gain access.
• According to Consumer Reports, of the 20 million minors who actively used
Facebook in the past year, 7.5 million—or more than one-third—were younger
than 13 and not supposed to be able to use the site.
• Among young users, more than 5 million were 10 and under, and their
accounts were largely unsupervised by their parents.
• One million children were harassed, threatened, or subjected to other forms
of cyber bullying on the site in the past year.

4. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act
• Websites that are collecting information from children under the age of
thirteen are required to comply with Federal Trade Commission ( FTC )
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
• The act, effective April 21, 2000, applies to the online collection of personal
information by persons or entities under U.S. jurisdiction from children under
13 years of age.
• It details what a website operator must include in a privacy policy, when and
how to seek verifiable consent from a parent or guardian, and what
responsibilities an operator has to protect children's privacy and safety online
including restrictions on the marketing to those under 13.

5. Additional Considerations for Use of Social Media
by Clemson University Programs
Designed for Individuals under 18 Years of Age
If you run a Clemson University program designed for children, you may be
considering using social media. This can be an excellent way to market your
program and/or communicate with your participants and their parents.
However, Clemson University wants social media interactions to not only be
effective, but also safe for everyone involved. The Pre-Collegiate Programs
Office (PCPO) developed these additional guidelines to encourage and promote
the safe use of social media for minors participating in our programs.

6. Additional Considerations for Use of Social Media
by Clemson University Programs
1. Consider the most appropriate Social Media option for your program. For
example, Facebook does not allow children under the age of 13 to use their
service. Depending on the specifics of your program, social media may not
be an appropriate communication tool.
2. When communicating with minors online, remember that you are acting in
your official capacity as a Clemson University employee or volunteer. Make
sure your communications reflect that relationship and are appropriate and
not too personal. Don’t change the nature of your relationship with the minor
just because you are in the more informal online setting.

7. Additional Considerations for Use of Social Media
by Clemson University Programs
3. In follow up to item 2 it is not recommended that Clemson University
employees or volunteers personally engage with (“friend,” “follow” etc.)
program participants under the age of 18 on any social media site. Use
official Clemson University sponsored or approved sites to communicate.
4. Encourage respectful and appropriate interactions between program
participants. Bullying must not be tolerated. Any online bullying should be
stopped and reported to the PCPO. If any illegal conduct takes place online,
report it to the police immediately.
5. Before posting pictures of a minor online, make sure you have written
permission from the minor’s legal guardian(s) to do so.
If you have questions or concerns about the use of social media for youth
programs, please contact the Pre-Collegiate Programs Office at 864-656-5535.

8. New Developments
• Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook is developing technology that
would enable kids under the age of 13 to join the site with parental
supervision.
• Facebook is testing ways to link a child's Facebook page to his or her
parents' page, along with tools that would enable parents to decide
who their children can "friend" and what apps they can use.

9. Discussion

10. Resources
• Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998
http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/coppa1.htm
• Social Media Guidelines and Best Practices
http://www.clemson.edu/administration/public-affairs/toolbox/standards/
social-media-guidelines.html

11. Thank you
Peter Tögel, ptogel@clemson.edu
Walker Massey, emassey@clemson.edu
Follow our PSA Team @: http://twitter.com/psamarketing
Presentation can be found at:
http://www.clemson.edu/public/web/social_media/