What is Social Media Abuse in Nursing Homes?

We entrust our elderlies into a nursing thinking they will be well taken care of. Residents in a nursing home are usually people who are dependent to their caregivers. Many are bound in their adjustable beds because they cannot function independently. Some may have problems with mobility and have other existing conditions. Because of their condition they become vulnerable to predators and to abusive people. To read more about adjustable beds, visit: https://bedroom.solutions/best-adjustable-beds/

We put our loved ones in a nursing home so they can have proper care. But this is not always the case. As their love ones we may think that this is the safest place for them. It’s sad to think that many forms of abuses happen in a nursing home. The saddest part is that people whom they trust are the perpetrators. They may suffer all sorts of abuse be it physical, verbal or emotional abuse. This can happen to our loved ones. Another form of abuse common in nursing home is the so called Social Media Abuse. his is a form of abuse very common in facilities such as nursing homes. The culprits are usually the staff of the facility. The abuses take place when a staff member gets an explicit video or images of residents. These are without their consent. The pictures taken are usually very sensitive and violating. They then scatter these materials in many places such as social media.

If your loved ones in a nursing home experienced any of these abuses seek help. It is every nursing homes’ responsibility to create a home for their residents. This home should protect them from any forms of harm. They have to treat all residents with dignity and respect.

There are many ways to prevent this kind of abuse from happening. Remember we are not always there to protect our love ones. All nursing homes should also do their part in
preventing this problem. All facilities should make sure to focus on the safety of their residents from Social Media abuse by:

Crack down on social media abuse in nursing homes

  • Nursing homes should put in place stricter rules and policies to Social Media Abuse.
  • Staff should not be using their gadgets such as cellphones and tablets during work hours. Except in cases of emergencies.
  • Education for all staff and residents about the forms of violations and abuse. Awareness of the consequences is important.
  • The facility should also have a back ground check of all its staff.
  • Notify proper authorities when an abuse takes place.
  • Always seek legal help in case of any abuse.

 

Tips for the correct use of social media

Snapchat, Facebook, WhatsApp, and whatever they are called – social media is now just as much a part of everyday life as the trivia questions on family weeknight dinners. Children in particular are rarely able to correctly assess the effects and dangers of the new medium.

Sure, the simplest solution is to simply prohibit your kids from using their smartphone. But this is, firstly, pedagogically rather weak and, secondly, pointless. Then the little ones surf the web on the school or library computer or on their friend’s smartphone. It is better if you stick to a few tips.

Tips for parents

Be a role model

Why should your child forego social media when you are constantly on the smartphone yourself? Sure, making an appointment in the WhatsApp group is important, but do you really have to send a cat picture to your friend?

Be competent

You can’t explain anything to your children that you don’t use or understand yourself. So before you blow the whole internet to hell, deal with it yourself. Take a look at the apps your kids are using instead of scolding new things.

Link accounts

Many social media platforms offer you the opportunity to set up a parent account and, under it, to manage child accounts with restricted usage options. In this way, you are at least partially in control.

No photos, no real names

The best way to protect your little ones from strangers is to make it clear to them that they should always alienate their names on the web and never have a photo of themselves in their profile.

Talk, talk and talk again

The most important tip is of course: talk to your children. Don’t just forbid them to use their smartphones, it just makes them curious. Instead, educate them about the dangers. Explain to them that the virtual world only depicts the real world, but does not replace it. Make sure they become proficient in using the new media. Because you cannot always isolate your children from all the dangers out there. However, it is up to you that they always treat them responsibly when they encounter them.

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