Being Labeled a ‘Bop’ Isn’t a Good Thing Among Teens
What? Teens are calling out “bops” (also “lala bop” and “school bop”) on social media, a slang term used to shame individuals—particularly young women—who are allegedly promiscuous.
So What? Calling someone a “bop” is a modern form of “slut shaming,” writes Melissa Willets for Parents. Experts warn that this trend is damaging to the victims’ mental health, reinforces harmful gender stereotypes (since it’s usually applied to teen girls) and also encourages a culture of harassment.
Now What? If your child has been affected by the slang term “bop” in a social media video (whether they were the victim or perhaps even just a friend of the victim), Titania Jordan, Chief Parent Officer at Bark Technologies, recommends watching the upsetting video with your child so you can understand the full scope of the bullying. Help your teen report the video on its online platform. And remind them that “you love them unconditionally” and “this storm will pass.” Lastly, Jordan says, “Discuss the lasting implications of hurtful words, gossip, videos or memes posted on social media.”
Teens Can’t Always Spot AI, and They’ve Been Misled by It
What? A new report by Common Sense Media found that many teens (35%) have been misled by fake, AI-generated content. Another large portion (41%) said they’ve seen images or videos that were real but misleading. And about a fifth (22%) even said they shared content before later learning it was fake.
So What? An earlier study had shown that about seven in 10 teenagers had tried generative AI. But because of the influx of deceptive and fake content, seven in 10 have also now changed the way they evaluate the accuracy of online information. The majority no longer trust Big Tech companies.
Now What? Experts recommend that we “equip youth with the skills to ‘investigate, not doubt’ the information they come across.” As parents, we should encourage our teens to verify any information they find on social media, especially as it pertains to more inflammatory topics, such as health or politics. We can also push them to use AI ethically, clearly informing others if they use AI for content generation or research.
Why Are So Many Moms Posting Their Child’s Baby Photos on TikTok?
What? Moms on TikTok have begun sharing baby pictures of their children who were born a decade ago … with a twist: All these pictures feature iconic Snapchat and Instagram filters of the time, such as the dog face and flower crown.
So What? This trend isn’t particularly harmful (although some tweens might be a bit embarrassed by the silliness), but it demonstrates just how deeply social media and technology can influence our lives in lasting ways.
Now What? If you’ve heard of “sharenting” or even “grandsharenting,” then you probably already know how important it is to protect your children’s identities online. By oversharing photos of your kids, you could expose them to bad actors who want to use those pictures for more nefarious means. So even if your child asks you to participate in the trend, remember to put their safety first.
The post On the Radar: School Bops; Teens and AI; and the Snapchat Filter Era Trend appeared first on Plugged In.
