Where are your kids? Social Networking
What are your kids doing? Who are their friends? What are they doing with their friends?
When I grew up, my friends had to call my house to talk to me. We had to go to each other's house to hang out. Inevitably my parents would know my friends and my friends’ parents would know me.
Today kids can connect in SOOOO many ways:
- Facebook message, Facebook status comment, wall post, like button
- Text message
- Cellphone
- I could go on and on …
Referring back to the online rules of agreement (See Post), your permission is required before a child signs up for ANY social media site.
List of popular social network sites:
- Xanga
- Bebo
- Google +
- MySpace
- FourSquare
- Flickr
Even if you don't recognize these names, YOUR KIDS DO! Also, about every 3 to 6 months there is a new site that comes into popularity. (Stressed out?! Don't worry .. read on).
Here is a link to a complete list with the various restrictions:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites
If your child wants to join any of these social network websites, you must approve it and you MUST BE THEIR FRIEND!! You will be able to see their activity – status updates, their friends, what pictures they are posting, what pictures their friends are posting of them.
You will need to adjust the security controls so that they are not sharing pictures and personal information with ‘EVERYONE.’ Here is a helpful article that goes through the Facebook security settings. http://www.theonlinemom.com/secondary.asp?id=936&t=tips-for-new-facebook-parents
The security settings change often, so do this at least every three months. Rule of thumb “FRIENDS ONLY.
If something inappropriate is going on, you will be able to stop it before it gets out of hand.
Since there are so many ways of communicating, refresh your children on being kind and courteous online as well as in person. Before posting, tagging, commenting, etc. tell them to think about ‘THINKS.’
Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? Is it Safe?
Is it Safe? We love to share information about ourselves .. here is another article that lists the 10 things you should never share on Facebook.
http://theonlinemom.com/secondary.asp?id=1995&t=10-things-you-should-never-post-on-facebook
4 Responses to “Where are your kids? Social Networking”
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wathy64 says: I’m glad you like my site! I have a Facebook pate as well. I will put links to any new posts and share links from other sites that I follow. http://www.Facebook.com\Securemama You need to ‘like’ the page to get updates.
[...] Where are my kids? – Social Networking [...]
readke.org says: I was curious if you ever thought of changing the layout of your blog?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to
say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people
could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text
for only having 1 or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
Thanks for the feedback! Yes more pictures! I also think I need to keep the posts a little more short and link out to more detailed posts.
I’m glad you like my site! I have a Facebook pate as well. I will put links to any new posts and share links from other sites that I follow. http://www.Facebook.com\Securemama You need to ‘like’ the page to get updates.
[...] Where are my kids? – Social Networking [...]
I was curious if you ever thought of changing the layout of your blog?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to
say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people
could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text
for only having 1 or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
Thanks for the feedback! Yes more pictures! I also think I need to keep the posts a little more short and link out to more detailed posts.