Social Networking

The other day, my daughter told me that she’s been challenging and having Math wars with other students from around the world. This is a teaching tool the school encouraged and that she’s able to do from home as well as school. She’s been meeting other kids from Egypt, Haiti, Kuwait, and others! I got to thinking, “Who are these kids?” “How old are they?” “Are they being supervised?”

I happened to run across this article in the office and thought best to share with all of you!

2007 Federal Trade Commission printed the following:
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES: A PARENT’S GUIDE

“It’s 10 p.m. Do you know where your children are?”

Remember that phrase from 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 chatting with online?”

Social Networking sites have become the mainstream for adults, teens, and now children. These sites encourage and enable people to exchange information about themselves, share pictures, videos, blogs, and use private messaging to communicate with friends and others who share interests.

When it comes to young kids, the law provides some protections and gives parents some control over the type of information that children can disclose online. For sites directed to children under 13, and for general audience site that know they’re working with younger children, there’s the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). It requires these sites to get parental consent before they collect, maintain, or uses kids’ information. COPPA also allows parents to review their children’s online profiles and blog pages.

Help kids socialize safely online! Talk to your teen and children about social networking sites and offer times for using the sites safely.

1. Help kids understand what information should be private. Information like their full names, address, phone numbers, and tell them not to choose a screen name that gives away too much personal information.

2. Use privacy settings to restrict who can access and post on your child’s website.

3. Remind kids that once they post information online, they can’t take it back!

4. Talk to your kids about bullying. Online bullying can take many forms from spreading rumors online and posting or forwarding private messages without the senders okay. Tell your kids that the words they type and the images they post can have real-world consequences.

5. Go where your kids go online. Sign up for, and use, the networking sites they use.

6. Review your kid’s friends list.

7 . Tell your kids to trust their gut! Most sites have links where users can report abusive, suspicious, or inappropriate online behavior.

For more information, check out Federal Trade Commission: www.onguardonline.gov
To get free information on consumer issues visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)