Help Protect Your Children Online
Socializing on the web has become a way of life for many older children and teens. 40% of young people visit websites like Facebook or MySpace on a typical day, and those who do hang out for an average of almost 1 hour.
The Potential for Problems
Many kids learn the hard way that over-sharing on the web can lead to real-life ramifications, but parents can suggest that they think carefully before posting personal information about themselves and others. It can even be risky to post certain facts about their families, such as when they will be out of town on vacation. Some teens suffer as a result of harassment by individuals or groups who could be mistreating them both at school and online; parents may want to watch for signs of cyber bullying, which has become more common. Children should also understand the danger that could be involved if they agree to meet a stranger in person. www.facecrooks.com/blog/
If you have a profile on the same website, consider connecting to your child’s page so you can get a realistic idea of their interactions. If not ask to see their profiles from time to time. Parents who want to employ strict monitoring can rely on software or online services to catch any unacceptable online behavior. www.kidlogger.com
Teachers, Coaches college admissions officials and potential employers have been known to check out the online profile of students, so teens should remain aware that inappropriate photos, updates and associations could be scrutinized and possibly impact their opportunities in the future.
Under Watchful Eye-
76% of parents who have Facebook profiles are linked to those of their children – and it’s a non-negotiable rule in 41% of households. Despite their monitoring efforts, 33% of parents said they still worry about what their children might be up to online. Not surprisingly, 30% of kids said they would choose to “unfriend” their parents if they could.
Parents, protect your children by how often they are allowed online and by monitoring what they do on it.
