What A Parent Should Know About Social Networking

“It’s now 10 p.m. Do you know where your kids are?” Have you encountered this line many times during your childhood? It’s still a valid question, but now, it comes with a twist: “Do you know where your kids are-and who they’re talking to online?”

Social networking sites are the hippest “meet market” around, especially among tweens, teens, and 20-somethings. Social networking sites allow people to meet and make friends with people around the globe. While these are great for increasing your number of friends, they can also be of some danger to you. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, offers tips for helping your kids use these sites safely.

Keep the computer in an open area, like the kitchen or family room, where you can keep an eye on where your kids are going online and what they’re doing.

Keep up with your kids, internet-wise. Be open to learning about the technology so you can keep up with them. Look into their favorite sites so you can set sensible guidelines.

You and your kids should talk about their online habits. Many kids use social networking sites, so have them understand why they should keep their name, Social Security number, address, phone number, age and family financial information from others. Your kids should know about the danger of sharing other info, too.

Your children should only post those pieces of information that you and your kids will be comfortable with everyone seeing. There is no larger billboard than the internet. Anyone can see your kids’ pages. In addition, once information is online, it’s there forever.

Also make your kids aware of the danger of online flirting. It would be so easy to lie about yourself online. Tell your children to trust their gut: If they feel threatened or uncomfortable by someone or something online, they need to tell you and then report it to the police and your Internet service provider. Doing so can be a big help to others.

If you are suspecting that you child is having risky online behavior, you can check the blog sites they visit and see what information they post there. You search their name, nickname, school, hobbies, or the area where you reside.

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