Table 4 Competencies adolescents require to prevent/deal with problematic social media situations; ranked in order of importance by an expert panel.

Ability to act responsibly and without offending others on social media

Knowing what kinds of activity are prohibited (identity theft, sexual harassment, dissemination of information, defamation)

Knowing whom to contact when exposed to cyberbullying, harassment, or sexual harassment

Ability to ask for help from a trusted adult if necessary

Having knowledge and skills on how to apply security practices to protect privacy (one’s own and that others)

Ability to act empathetically and with respect for others on social media

Ability to evaluate the credibility of social media posts; knowing that information given on social media is not the whole truth about the poster’s life

Ability to protect personal privacy (e.g., passwords and profile privacy settings)

Ability to assess the trustworthiness of a previously unknown online friend

Ability to manage time spent on social media

Ability to assess the trustworthiness of published information

Knowing one’s own rights (e.g., right to information, privacy, and freedom of expression)

Ability to assess what contents are suitable for publication or sharing

Ability to assess one's own behavior and that of others on social media

Ability to explain how social media affect one’s self-image and self-esteem

Ability to identify problematic social media situations in one’s daily life

Ability to identify, process, express, and regulate emotions on social media

Ability to compare information published in different data sources

Knowing where to report inappropriate material