Now that kids are back to school, they’ve made new friends and are likely keeping in touch 24/7 on social media sites. While social networking can provide a fun way for kids to connect with each other, they can also be exploited if the proper steps are not taken to ensure their safety online.
Facebook is arguably the most popular social networking site, with millions of users joining every month. While Facebook and MySpace require users to be at least 13 years old, Twitter does not request age information when creating a profile. Whether the site has a user age requirement or not, kids are likely joining at all ages.
Some parents will admit their children know more about computers and the Internet than they do, however, it’s important to remember that kids aren’t old enough to understand all of the various threats that lurk online. Even if they’re intimidated by technology, parents need to supervise their child’s computer use in the house as well as educate their kids on how to play it safe online.
Here are a few ideas for parents who want to help keep their kids safe online:
Explain the Difference Between Sharing and Oversharing – While social networking is about sharing photos, thoughts and experiences, explain to your kids that they should never share personal information such as phone numbers, address, bank account numbers, passwords or their Social Security numbers. The danger of sharing extra curricular activities with strangers and letting them know where they are after school should be another topic discussed with kids. Remember to talk about what constitutes inappropriate photos or language and stress the fact that—while you may be able to delete them—you can never fully take them back.
“Never talk to strangers” applies online too – One of the first rules we teach our kids is to never talk to strangers; remind them that the rule holds true when online. Even though chatting with a stranger online can seem harmless, the relationship can evolve and grow until the stranger has earned your child’s trust—and can then exploit it.
Set strict privacy settings – Social networking sites let users determine who they want to share information with. Privacy settings on social networking sites have been changing frequently. Make sure to revisit your child’s privacy settings on a regular basis. Talk to your child about restricting access to his or her profile to only friends or users in safe networks such as their school, clubs or church groups.
Keep the channels of communication open – Let your kids know that you are always ready to talk if they are ever threatened, bullied or feel uncomfortable about an experience they had online.
Join them online - If you haven’t already, set up your own account in the same social networks. This will help you better understand what social networking is all about. You can also then “friend” and “follow” your child and keep an unobtrusive eye on what they are doing.
Federal law requires sites collecting identifying information from children under 13 to get a parent’s consent first. Report concerns about data collection from children under 13 years of age to the Children’s Advertising Review Unit of the Council of Better Business Bureaus at www.caru.org/complaint. You can also learn more about how to keep your kids safe online at http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/net-cetera.aspxx.
About Matthew Fehling
Matthew Fehling is President and CEO of the BBB Serving Central, Northern and Western Arizona. BBB is a membership-based, non-profit organization funded by over 9,500 BBB Accredited Businesses and provides over a million instances of service each year. Before serving in Arizona, Matthew held positions with the BBB in Richmond, Denver and at the Council of Better Business Bureaus in Arlington, VA.