Social networking sites, chat rooms, virtual worlds and blogs are how teens and tweens socialize online; it’s important to help your child learn how to navigate these spaces safely. Among the pitfalls that come with online socializing are sharing too much information or posting comments, photos, or videos that can damage a reputation or hurt someone’s feelings.
The Federal Trade Commission suggests parents remind kids that online actions have consequences. The words they write or images they post have consequences offline.
- Kids should post only what they’re comfortable with others seeing.
- Remind kids that once they post it, they can’t take it back.
- Tell them not to impersonate someone else.
- Help them understand what information should stay private.
- Politeness counts, teach them to be courteous online and off.
- Teach them to trust their gut if they feel threatened or uncomfortable because of something online.
- Get to know the social networking sites your kids use, and you may want to search the social sites they use to see what information they’re posting.
Source: Federal Trade Commission
