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Social Networking Sites
What’s the big deal about MySpace
and social networking?
More than half of kids 12 – 17 have personal Web pages, videos, and blogs. Some popular sites for this include:
It’s called social networking, a way for people to express themselves, write about personal experiences, and connect to friends through pictures and information. Most sites like this block kids under 16 from participating, but it’s pretty easy to get around.
What are the dangers?
Kids post personal information on their Web pages and blogs, revealing their full names, photos, addresses, cell numbers, e-mails, and IMs for strangers to see. Viewing pornographic content is another problem, since some sites include adult sections that kids can visit if they try.
What you can do:
- Ask your child what he does to stay safe. Find out what activities he does online. Make sure he knows never give out or post personal information and how to use the right privacy settings on the site. Read privacy policies together.
- Talk about what your child does on these sites. Look at your child’s Web page and discuss it. Be positive and explain what design or photos are appropriate. Stay in charge if something is inappropriate and make sure he takes it down.
- Search for your child’s Web page. If you think your child has a Web page but isn’t showing it to you, search for his name online to find his Web page or blog.
