Why parents NEED to get into social networking
I am sure you have heard the story: a 15-year-old girl met a 25-year-old on MySpace, falls in love, and the guy comes to get her to elope with him.
But the guy is actually a 40 something sexual predator.
I am listening to the dad, who says he’s computer stupid. It sounds like he did alot of things right. He had the computer in a public area. He tried to look over his daughter’s shoulder to keep up with what she was doing. But he needed to do more.
If your kids are on MySpace, you have to be on MySpace. Tell your kid that they have to friend you. My son told me I was the worst friend ever when I did that to him, and I reminded him I’m not supposed to be his friend. I watched what he did. What his friends were doing. I only told him he had to change something one time. I was able to watch what his friends were up to, and start conversations about it. He hated it. I am hoping one day he’ll understand.
If your kids are younger, make a rule that they can only IM or friend people that they know IRL (in real life). Make them tell you who the kids are (they will have WEIRD names, so make them tell you!) Tell them from very young to refuse to give ages and locations, if they can’t do that hide that info, and if they can’t do that, LIE. Say you are 66 from someplace across the country.
If you don’t understand this, leave a message or email me. I’ll try to help you figure it out. Social networking sites can be fantastic - they can help keep in touch with family in different locations, keep in touch with friends who move, and help the kids with homework (no really it can). You just have to keep on top of the kids. It’s the best insight you will ever get to your kid’s life…take advantage of it!