Social media has become an integral part of teenagers' lives, with YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat being the most popular platforms. Almost all teens, 95%, have access to a smartphone, and almost half of them claim to be online almost all the time. People use social media for various purposes and in different ways.

1. Social media platforms usually require users to create an online profile, which typically includes personal details such as name, email address, date of birth, interests, and a profile picture.
2. Users of social media tools have the option to connect with people they know, such as classmates or family members, and potentially make new friends. This can be done through following or requesting to be friends with others.
3. One can communicate through messaging/chats by sending instant messages over the Internet or between smartphones, such as Facebook Messenger, iMessage, WhatsApp, and Hangouts.
4. On social media platforms, there are multiple ways for users to share messages. Facebook, for instance, has a "wall" feature that displays information. The visibility of posts depends on the user's privacy settings, which can range from being visible to the general public to only friends and followers.
5. Social networking sites or apps allow users to share photos, videos, and even live videos. It is important to note that these posts can be set as either public or private, depending on the user's privacy settings.
6. Vlogs are essentially video blogs that are shared on video-sharing platforms like YouTube by people who are known as vloggers. Through their consistent vlog posts, vloggers can grow a significant online following.
7. Numerous applications include a group creation feature that permits users to form communities. By joining, liking, or following these groups, individuals can participate in discussions and gain access to valuable information shared by other members.
8. It is crucial to acknowledge that certain online games, whether played individually or with peers, may contain free online gambling and endorse various products or advertisements. This is a matter that must be taken seriously.
9. There exists a plethora of digital platforms and online services which enable people to make romantic or sexual connections with strangers, commonly known as online dating.

What social media platforms do your youth frequent? Share your list in the comment section below.

Top 5 Video Game Streaming Platforms in 2020

The gaming industry has experienced significant growth, attracting both professional and amateur gamers. This community has developed its culture, and players worldwide use game streaming platforms to share their gameplay and receive feedback on their skills. The primary aim is to build a community and earn money while playing games.

As parents, it can be helpful to know which gaming platforms your children are using to broadcast their gameplay. Here are the top 5 video game streaming sites to assist you. It's important to note that while some of these platforms are free, most are not.

1.    Twitch is widely considered the top streaming platform for gamers. It's a large social network that offers live-streaming games and is known for its user-friendly interface. Due to its functionality and ease of use, it has become a popular choice for many gamers.

2.    My son loves to stream live on Youtube Gaming every chance he gets. Although it was initially created to rival Twitch, it has since developed its unique identity and now functions as a standalone platform. The interface and functionality are similar to Twitch, but it's an excellent option for storing all your video content in one convenient location..

3.    Mixer is a community and streaming platform that offers its own currency. This currency can be utilized to enhance messages and chats, upgrade skills, and purchase stickers and effects for personalization purposes.4.    Facebook Gaming is made famous because it is easy to access and is automatically made part of your Facebook page.

5.   DLive is a platform that is gaining popularity due to its ability to monetize content, its focus on building a community, and the way it treats its users as partners. Despite being relatively new, DLive is becoming a go-to option for those looking to create and share content online.