misunderestimation

You’ve heard the names (MySpace, Xanga, Facebook, Hi5, Bebo, Tagged, Imbee) and heard the concerns (child molesters, identity theft, child pornography, stalkers, violence), but are social networking sites really bad for our kids?

I believe these sites are good for kids when used in moderation. We are seeing an explosion of “publishing” on the web and beginning to realize the true vision of the Internet that was promised in the 90s; interconnected indiviuduals sharing a wealth of information. Kids are flocking to these sites because they need outlets for their thoughts, interests, hobbies, etc. and they need to find a peer-group who shares those interests.

There are just two things parents need to do.

1. Remember to keep things in moderation by monitoring your children
2. Educate yourselves on the sites that are out there and help you children choose appropriate avenues

To help education us, Julia Angwin decided to test drive all the popular social networking sites and put together a fantastic article in the Wall Street Journal.

Teens aren’t much different today. It’s just that their yearbook equivalents are online at social-networking sites like MySpace.com. On their MySpace pages, teens list their favorite music and drinks, and add links to their friends’ pages. Instead of signing each other’s yearbooks, they post comments on each other’s pages.

But teens can also meet up with strangers on these sites — and that’s where the problems arise. Young girls in several states have been sexually assaulted by men they met on MySpace, according to law-enforcement officials. The family of one 14-year-old Texas girl who was assaulted is suing MySpace in Texas state court for not providing adequate safeguards. And the site’s sometimes-racy content is under fire generally for being an unsafe environment for teens.

Angwin conducts overviews of multiple sites and reviews each site’s features and security. For any parent of a teen or soon-to-be-teen, read this article is must read.

Also Blogging:

• Children at risk due to parents’ lack of technology know-how
• NSBA joins effort to keep kids safe online
• MySpace Parent Guide To Understanding Why Teens Use Social Networking Websites
• FREE Internet safety guide for parents
• The MySpace Travel Guide
• Children can be a parent’s best weapon against online dangers
• Reflections on “Beyond Censorship” Summit

Tip from NetFamilyNews

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