Parents get social media alert

Legal expert warns moms and dads their kids could be breaking the law

Everything that you put online is like a tattoo and the tattoo effect is a very powerful one, social media law expert Emma Sadleir told parents at St George’s Preparatory School last night.

With more pre-teens and teenagers jumping on the social media bandwagon, many were not aware of the impact and gravity of their online activity.

Using previous cases to illustrate the consequences of what many consider harmless banter, Sadleir demonstrated that with each click of the button there was potential for legal and reputational backlash.

“If you don’t want any of the five Ps – principal, parents, police, predators and potential employer – to see it, don’t post it,” she said.  - Zandile Mbabela