Social media expert Chris Durante Visco, of Erdenheim, (left) answers questions of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy parents Albert and Norajean Glenn (Oak Lane), Miroslawa Cohen (Blue Bell), and Matt Millan (Chestnut Hill), during the parent education seminar on Social Media and Child Internet Safety held recently at the school. (Photo by Michael Strunk)

Have you ever heard of Snap Chat? Chances are your child has, and he or she may be using the popular instant photo-messaging app to be social with their friends.

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy helped shed light on this and other forms of social media by sponsoring a recent parent education night. Chris Durante Visco, an NFA school parent and founder of the social media marketing group, PJ’s and Coffee, presented the interactive seminar to help parents, guardians and teachers gain a better understanding of social media and how it can impact the security of children and teens.

Visco demonstrated how to maintain the most secure of privacy settings on various social media networks: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to name a few. She alerted attendees to certain indicators on their children’s social media that may signal trouble.

“I believe parents and guardians should improve their understanding of social media so as to better monitor their children’s social media activities,” said Visco. “It’s one more critical area that requires the vigilance of parents and teachers in protecting the safety of their children and educating their children about appropriate online behaviors.”

NFA’s technology teacher, Colleen Hemberger, attended the seminar and could not agree more.

"The importance of this topic can't be stressed enough,” she said. “Today's students are engrossed in technology and social media is a key component of their daily lives. It is essential that students are educated to safely navigate networks and to be a cyber citizen. Parents, guardians, and teachers play a critical role in this education."