Social networking sites have become a popular way to bring people together. Joining a social network enables kids to stay connected with classmates from school, kids they’ve played sports with or gone to camp with, as well as casual acquaintances. Social networking sites have also become a means to meet new people, removing barriers such as distance and time. Through social networking sites, people from different countries can be connected.
Social networks are also about sharing. Most Internet users also use social networking sites, such as Diigo, to bookmark and share interesting links they’ve found. Some post the links to blogs, websites and discussion forums to share with friends in their network. Social networks enable kids to share what they’re into with the whole world. It is virtually a place where members express their opinions, claims, and understanding about things that interest them.
Social networking sites provide the freedom to reach out, share, and connect. Of course there are rules both written and implied that vary from site to site. Discuss the purpose of social networking sites with your child. Become familiar with the terms of service and browse some of the posts from others in the network to get a sense of the environment your kid would be part of.
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, urges parents to talk to their tweens and teens about social networking sites, and offers these tips for using these sites safely. Find the full text at Social Networking Sites: A Parent’s Guide.
|
More resources below:
ConnectSafely is a forum for parents, teens, educators, and advocates designed to give teens and parents a voice in the public discussion about youth online safety, and has tips, as well as other resources, for safe blogging and social networking. Along with NetFamilyNews.org, it is a project of the non-profit Tech Parenting Group.
Discusses the risks associated with social networks and how to protect your privacy.
This guide is designed to help you understand what Facebook is and how to use it safely. It includes a comprehensive discussion of Facebook; what it is and why kids use it, as well as the consequences of not understanding what to share, and whom to share it with. There is also an interactive chart of recommended privacy settings for teens. This guide will help you be better informed and able to communicate with young Facebook users in your life more effectively.
This guide for parents, produced as part of the Net Cetera campaign, provides information and resources about helping kids make safe, responsible decisions when they’re socializing online.
Recent Comments