Letter To Parents Of Teens

08-01-07
To The Parents of Teenagers:

You may have heard of blog-like sites that are common among teenagers such as MySpace and Facebook. If you haven’t heard of them, it’s time that you learn what they are. MySpace and Facebook are websites common among teens and even adults that allow a child to talk to others online, add “friends”, and leave comments on their friend’s pictures or pages. Many people don’t know that these common websites are also popular among internet predators. If your children are using sites common to these, then setting restrictions and limits can help them be safe online.

One thing that a child can do to protect their site is to set it to “private.” This is a setting that only allows friends of your child to see their website and information. While a private setting cannot keep someone completely safe, it can help a little. Also, do not allow your child to add “friends” to their website who they haven’t met in person. Many predators go online under disguise as someone else, and teens can easily get fooled. Instead, only allow your child to add friends who they regularly see and know have a site. Making sure your child talks to only people they have met in person can insure them much safety and closure.

Sure just about every teenager has heard of MySpace and Facebook. They also probably claim that these websites are completely harmless and safe. Any website that a teenager visits has risks. Once a teen posts information, they think they’re safe under a private profile setting. Little do they know that just about anyone can break into a private profile with a software. The major problem with MySpace and Facebook seems to be teenagers meeting up with the people that they meet online. While a picture of a teenage girl may be posted, the “friend” could actually turn out to be a forty year old man. The biggest mistake teens make online is meeting up with friends they meet online. Your child may think that they’re completely safe meeting up with someone their own age, yet they don’t know that they’re putting their own life in jeopardy. It is important to educate your child about these types of situations so that they can be informed about the future and what could happen.

The biggest way that an internet predator even gets to meet a child in person is by a teen making a simple mistake. While a teen may not think that a last name, cell phone number, school name, or address is a lot of information, it is just this that lands teens in danger of their lives. As kids innocently post little bits of information on their websites or blogs, they probably don’t know that an internet predator could be writing all of this down. As teens reveal more and more pieces of information, a predator could be putting all the pieces together. Posting contact information on a site can put kids in great risk of being found. Encourage your child not to give away their last name, phone number, or city they live in to anyone they don’t know. Protecting your child’s identity could keep them in safety of their lives.

Now that you are educated about the risks of popular teenage sites, there is a better chance that your teen can be protected. Talk to your child (ren) about the problems with these sites, and what they can do to keep themselves safe online. Educating your child with online tips and tidbits can help them be safe online and become closer to you. Being a concerned parent can show them how much you care, and encourage them to protect their identity, and even more, their lives as they enter the online world.