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What
We Do >>
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Social Networking Sites
A Guide for Parents
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QUICK FACTS
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| Appropriate
age range: |
13 years or older
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| Who uses
Social Networking sites: |
Varies greatly |
| Why use Social
Networking Sites: |
Communicate
with friends and expand your circle of friends |
| Watch-outs: |
Internet Bullying & posting
too much information
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While social networking sites, such as MySpace and FaceBook
can increase your children's circle of friends, they also can increase
her exposure to people with less-than-friendly intentions.
Social networking sites makes it easy to express yourself, connect
with friends and make new ones, but remember that what your child
posts publicly could expose her to danger. Here are some common sense
guidelines that you discuss with your son or daughter when using social
networking sites:
- Generally your personal profile is publicly accessible.
- Be cautious of giving too much information.
- Don't post anything you wouldn't want the world to know (e.g.,
your phone number, address, IM screens name, or specific whereabouts).
- Check to see if your blogging service has a "friends"
list that allows you to control who can visit your blog. If so,
be sure to allow only people you know and trust.
- Avoid posting anything that would make it easy for a stranger
to find you, such as where you hang out every day after school.
- People aren't always who they say they are.
- Be careful about adding strangers to your friends list. It's
fun to connect with new people from all over the world, but exercise
caution.
- Avoid meeting people in person whom you do not fully know. If
you must meet someone, do it in a public place and bring a trusted
adult.
- Harassment, hate speech and inappropriate content should be
reported. If you feel someone's behavior is inappropriate, react.
Talk with a trusted adult, or report it to the social networking
website and/or the authorities.
- Before posting a photo or info of yourself online discuss it
with your parents or a trusted adult.
- Don't mislead people into thinking that you're older than you
are.
Sources: onguardonline.gov, myspace.com
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