They may be at one of the Top 5 Social Networking Sites for Tweens, a list published at mom logic.
If your kids are online (and if they are anything like my kids, then they probably are), then you should take precautions to make sure that they are safe. The United States (U.S.) Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has actually published a list of social networking safety tips for tweens and teens. The list is a great starting point for talking to your kids about online safety. The FTC also has a guide for parents.
As a working mother, I know that I tend to be somewhat grateful for how the Internet can amuse my teenagers while I work. Since we have online filters, I tend to think that they are safe when they sit down to the computer. I can see them, so they must be okay.
The truth is, there is still some degree of danger online and parents need to be cautious and they need to teach their kids to be cautious.
Another great source for keeping kids safe online is wiredsafety.org, which describes itself as "the world's largest Internet safety and help group." On this site you'll find advice on everything from cyberbullying to cyberdating. Safefamilies also has a great list of safety tips for social networking sites.
Am I being too cautious by telling all the work-at-home moms out there to emphasize Internet safety with their kids?
Maybe, but I don't think so.
The techLearning site has published an interesting study on how teens use social media. You can read the results for yourself, but basically it seems to say that: while teenagers are aware of Internet safety concerns, many are not as careful as they should be.
What about you? Are your kids old enough to use the Internet? Do you feel that they are cautious enough when they use a social networking or other online site? Why, or why not?
Leave a comment and let us know.
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