by Stephanie Partridge
What is Your Teen being Exposed To? This is the first in a series on social networking sites. These sites have become so popular, so prevalent with teens flocking to them that this is very relevant – and it is going to take more than just one post to address all that needs to be addressed on this subject.
Social Networks are really hot right now. Teens are spending a great deal of time on sites like MySpace, Facebook and others. But just what are your teens being exposed to when they log onto their Facebook profile or MySpace profile?
The answers are alarming.
While social network sites do have merit, they allow people from all over the world to connect. Kids can connect with friends and family who live far away. They can socialize and keep in touch with friends, share pictures, music and videos and play fun games.
They can connect with the Smithsonian, National Geographic, Discovery Channel and many other wholesome organizations, businesses and individuals. They have access to great, educational material. They can learn, they can grow, they can see parts of the world and other cultures that they may never have a chance to see otherwise.
But there is a dark side to social networks. This is something that every parent with a social network surfing teen should know.More on Social Network Dangers: The Dark Side of Social Networks
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The story is unfortunately all too common. A 13 year old boy commits suicide after a cyberbully torments him relentlessly. An 18 year old girl kills herself after a "sexting" incident that put nude photos of her, meant only for her boyfriend, in the hands of many other people, some in the very school she attended. It seems to be reaching epidemic proportions, cyberbullying and sexting. It seems that the online world has gone out of control, populated with perverts and bullies. So, how can parents keep their children safe without taking the internet away from them completely? What can a parent do to protect their children from what at times is a very cruel world?
So, what can parents do to protect their children from cyberbullies and prevent them from sexting? Well, you could take away cell phones and set the parental controls on the internet so that the only page they can access is Disney.com, but that isn't very realistic. Also, when you get right down to it, you can't spend your life shielding your children from things that may hurt them. If you do, you are doing them a great disservice. The best thing that you can do is teach them how to protect themselves and how to make smart, sound decisions.
Cyberbullying: Know the Signs
Of course, things will still happen and your child may become a victim regardless of what you teach them. It is important to know the warning signs so that you can tell when something is wrong. Laying a good foundation of open communication with your child is a good start and will help you pick up on the warning signs early. The signs may be subtle and barely discernible.More on Cyber Bullying and Sexting: What Parents Can Do
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by Jennifer Shakeel
While the internet is a beautiful thing it is also a very dangerous thing, especially to our children. For years we as parents have feared the online predator, that could pose as a child and lure our children away from us and do terrible things to them. Today, our fear is not just of strangers… but of people that we know or at least know our children. I am talking about cyber bullies, who taunt our children online and on their cell phones. Technology has provided bullies a new way to get at our children, and we as parents need to stay on top of what is taking place to help protect our children.
Parental Control
I am sorry, but I don’t think young children need to text message. I am not even completely sure they need cell phones… really what does a 10 year old need a cell phone for? Our oldest daughter has a cell phone, she got it in 7th grade. The reason was that she was very active in school activities and so was our son. It was difficult to be in two places at once, so she needed a way to get a hold of me when her practice was complete and I was at our son’s practice. One thing I did not allow though was texting. It is not a part of our plan. She cannot receive them or send them. I don’t care that all her friends can text and that she has to tell them she can’t, I would rather be embarrassed then hurt.More on Protecting Your Kids from Cyber Bullying
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As a parent and someone who spends a lot of time online for my job, I know and understand the importance of teaching internet safety to our kids. In this guide, I will be sharing with you some basic lessons that should be shared with your child. In today’s world, our children are heavily dependent on technology, such as the internet, in order to communicate with others, conduct research, and even to assist them in their educational endeavors. As parents, it is inappropriate to keep this type of technology from our children as it is an integrated part of our world as a whole. This is why teaching internet safety is the responsibility that we should take.
Cyber Citizenship
Cyber citizenship is one of the first steps in teaching internet safety to our kids. The internet is much like a community that we live, work, and play in. Children must understand this. People may not “live” online, but it is a place where many work, and many play. You should start by defining the role of a basic community and then compare it to the concept of “Cyberspace”. While Cyberspace is actually considered an abstract idea as it relates to community, it is a community nonetheless. The places that we visit while online are much like the places that we visit in our physical community. These places include the library, various types of stores, and even museums! By comparing the “websites” that we find online to real places we find in our communities, it gives your child a sense of community. More on Teaching Internet Safety To Your Child
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If you have a teenager between the ages of 13 and 17, chances are very good that they have at least one profile on MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, Xanga or one of the other popular social networks. After all, a 2006 study conducted by Cox Communications and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) approximately 61% of teenagers, ages 13 to 17 years old have a personal profile on one of the social networking sites. Of this group, older teens, age 16 and 17, and girls make up for most of the social networking profile holders. So if your teenager has a space on MySpace, there are a few things that you, as a parent, should know and do to keep your child safe.
Chilling Facts on Teen Internet Usage and Perception
First, let's get the scary stuff out of the way. These statistics come from the study done by Cox Communication and NCMEC and they give us a chilling glimpse into what our children are facing in today's online world.More on A Guide to Your Child's MySpace Profile and other Social Networks
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Kids are vulnerable. Kids are curious. And Kids will do anything you allow them to get away with, and will continue until someone puts their foot down!
What about a child's privacy? Many parents sometimes say, “I don’t like to violate my child’s privacy.” Alternatively, they might believe, stuff like that only happens to someone else’s child.
Are you this type of parent? Do you have these types of children? Well if you are and are dealing with curious and vulnerable children, listen up, because I will take on a journey through reality whilst showing you how to avoid online dangers by providing your child safety. More on Child Safety and Avoiding Online Dangers
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Understanding child safety and online dangers is essential for protecting your children. If you have an understanding of the Internet, you are aware that dangers lurk in nearly every corner. The Internet is a growing roadway that links people together through a network. The logic of learning the Internet is part of teaching your child how to miss online dangers, and some of that information will include where children visit online. What types of dangers are online? How can you protect your child from these dangers? What does the Internet offer to children? Why are the children interested in a virtual reality platform? More on Understanding Online Dangers and Child Safety
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by Michelle Donaghey
They are waiting to be your child’s best friend and confidant, knowing what to say and how to say it whether you realize they are there or not. While you may think they are, not all are old men with long baggy coats either. They can be young , married or of the opposite sex they claim to be. If you met them on the street, you might not even think twice about them. Some may even be teachers , coaches or preachers in your community.
On-line predators do not fit a mold. Often pedophiles pretend to be a friend who is the same age of the child. At first, he or she might talk to your child over several nights or weeks in order to become closer to them. Eventually the conversation might move into sexual topics. Eventually the pedophile posing as a child may ask where your daughter or son lives, goes to school and his or her phone number. Sometimes he or she may try to set up a face-to-face. More on Keep Kids Safe on the Internet
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Cancellation Details: The Amber Alert for Dakota Parker & Elizabeth Michelle Parker has been canceled. The children has been found safely recovered in the Dallas area. No further information is available. Click Here to get your AMBER Alert Digital Child Identification Package LEEP – The Official Law Enforcement Partner of Project Safekids Click Here to get The Project Safekids AMBER Alert Ticker Click Here to for Free Press Release Distribution Child SafetyChild, Safety Related EntriesSigns Your Child Might Be At Risk On-line Keep the ?Treat? in Trick-or-Treat Four Ways To Help Keep Your Kids Safe Online Internet Safety And Monitoring Of Online Use Finding Sexual Offenders In Your Area
Source: RSS Feed for Active Amber Alerts & Missing Children
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Abduction Details:
The Paris Police Department and The Texas Department of Public Safety have issued an Amber Alert for 12-year-old Alyssa Ann Frazier.
Local law enforcement have a suspect in custody who claims to have taken Alyssa to a motel in the Dallas area. Internet activity led to a meeting with the suspect, William Lewis Rhone, 24, and police say there is a possibility she may be in the Llano, Texas area.
Click Here to get your AMBER Alert Digital Child Identification Package
LEEP – The Official Law Enforcement Partner of Project Safekids
Click Here to get The Project Safekids AMBER Alert Ticker
Click Here to for Free Press Release Distribution
Source: RSS Feed for Active Amber Alerts & Missing Children
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