Social Media has grown to be a wildly popular global phenomenon that engages enthusiasts of all ages. As a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to provide a safe environment for minors entrusted to your care. Some of the most dangerous playgrounds of today’s youth are social networking sites. Make no mistake about it, Facebook, Myspace, Formspring, etc. are a sexual predator’s playground. There have been countless documented cases of paedophiles setting up fake profiles on these sites to victimize the vulnerable and naïve. Sadly, many have been successful and have left a wake of traumatized and devastated families and individuals.
There are several things you can do to help ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones. As a first course of action, determine the level of privacy you are comfortable with letting your child have while using the internet and social networking sites. This has been strongly debated and is a hotbed issue in many families. The bottom line is that you are responsible for the safety and welfare of your child. Do not be guilted or pressured into relinquishing more control than you are comfortable with.
Open communication is a key component of social media safety. Your child needs to be aware of the dangers and pitfalls associated with the reckless use of social media. We have identified four primary “danger” areas that should be addressed with your child.
- Online Predators
- Cyber Bullies
- Identity Thieves
- Malware & Virus attacks
- Reputation Management
Onguardonline.gov has two excellent resources that every parent should read before turning their child loose in the social mediasphere!
Social Networking Sites
Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens
There are several 3rd party tools and applications that you should strongly consider using. Internet monitoring software like Netnanny, anti-virus and firewall software, identity theft protection services and reputation management applications all can prove to be invaluable assets in your war for cyber security.
