Kids online - are parents loosing control
 
 
 

2006 TheParentsEdge.com. All rights reserved.
 
myspace dangers
Giving parents the tools and resources they need to keep their kids safe online. Free guides, how-to's and resources to help parents deal with myspace and online predators.
TheParentsEdge
Internet child safety, our #1 concern.
TheParentsEdge
TheParentsEdge.com
 
Giving parents the edge in a tech savvy teen world!
Parents, Internet safety starts with you!
 
 
 
 
 
Myspace dangers

Internet safety is fast becoming a common household term. So much about being Safe online is not much different from being safe at the local mall. Don’t talk to strangers, don’t give people your name and address, Don’t use vulgar language, don’t be rude and obnoxious, mind your manners, and don’t run off with people you don’t know. This all sounds so easy, then why is it such a problem?

Many kids, when online, seem to forget all the rules they where ever taught. They feel somewhat invincible and free to say what they want and to whom they want. Kids can become someone else online, the cool kid, the provocative kid, the mean kid, and post pictures of them selves to prove they are this fantasy person. The more they talk online the more at ease they feel, the more comfortable they get in their new online world. In this world they are in control, not their parents. Unfortunately, most parents are not in control when it comes to Internet usage in their Home. Our kids generally have more experience with computers and are very comfortable with them, while most parents are still trying to figure out How to program the VCR our kids are downloading music and creating their own web sites.

Internet safety is very important, and it is time for parents to start realizing it. No, not everyone is in eminent danger or will be approached by a sex offender online. But I guarantee you your teen will be inundated with filth that you would not approve of. Putting the dangers aside for a minute, the first Thing you will notice about these online sites is that the language these kids are using is bad, very bad. So many of these sites use very vulgar and Inappropriate language. How will your kids handle that? Will they be strong enough to remove these kids from their top 8? Maybe it’s time you create Your own profile, many parents do, just to monitor your kids and more importantly monitor their friends. You can learn a lot about your kid by reading their blogs.

I guess the point I am trying to make is that Internet safety encompasses more than “Protecting their personal safety”. It encompasses their attitudes online, the way they behave, the language they use, the type of friends they attract and “hang with” online. Are they sticking to the values you Teach them? Are they enticing the opposite sex with inappropriate language? Are they having conversations with strangers, what type of pictures Have they posted of themselves, what type of pictures have their friends posted? Who is contacting them? This can go on and on but hopefully Parents will start understanding how important it is to monitor what there kids do, where they go, and what they say online.

Sounds strict, to invasive? I tell you what, create an account on myspace. Then do a search for the local schools in your area. Check out some of the sites their. I will guarantee you that you will be shocked by what these kids are saying and doing. No, not all of the sites will be bad, but I bet you will find that 50% or more of the sites you come across will have filthy language andor inappropriate pictures. Your kids will come across these sites also, is this ok with you? are they prepared to deal with it? have you talked with them about what to do when they come across inappropriate material? Are they aware of the dangers -Are you?
Google
WWW TheParentsEdge
Kids Online, Have Parents Lost Control?
MySpace is the most popular site for teenagers to hang out on the Internet.

Kids use MySpace primarily to connect with other kids. They post information about themselves, place their picture on MySpace for others to see, invite other people to become their “friends” and spend a lot of time chatting with others and viewing the profiles of other users. Sometimes, they meet people in person through contacts they make in MySpace.

Unfortunately, the information they post about themselves is readily available to almost anyone else using MySpace, and that includes millions of adults of all ages, thousands of whom are sexual predators trying to prey on young people.

How Does Spector Pro Help?
Spector Pro records your child’s MySpace activity so you will know exactly what he/she is doing while on MySpace. You will see when they update their profile, post pictures, make comments about other MySpace users, send messages to other MySpace users, invite someone to be a friend, accept an invitation from a new friend, and much more. You will also be able to see whether they have created multiple MySpace accounts.

You can also view the profiles of people who are contacting your child. So, you’ll know if your 13 year old is communicating with a 40 year old who has posted inappropriate pictures of himself or talks about using drugs on his profile page. Anything your child does on MySpace, Spector Pro will record and you will be able to review.
Parents, it's time to get pro active.
Awarded PC Magazine Editors' Choice
Spector Pro has been awarded PC Magazine Editors' Choice TWICE