Blogs
Blog is short for "Web log." Simply put, it's a Web page where people can post whatever they like and offer a way for people to both read and comment on what the blogger has posted. Most kids create blogs on social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, or Xanga (much more on those in the Social Networking section). But the blogs we're talking about here are the ones that record an interest or hobby.
Blogs can be a wonderful way for kids to be creative. Publishing a blog can be a real esteem booster and a way for kids to grow their communication abilities.
Blogging has risks. First of all, anyone can read a blog — and download its contents and archive it. Just because a kid takes something off a blog doesn't mean it's gone. Because blogs often serve as online diaries, kids can inadvertently give out personal information, which can make it easy for them to be contacted by strangers. Also, unsupervised blog content sometimes contains less-than-kind comments about other kids. Remind your kid that what goes around comes around.
Under no circumstances should any personal information appear in your child's blog. But because you may not know whether he or she has one, you might have to settle for a discussion of the fact that 1 in every 5 kids is sexually solicited online.
Common Sense Tips for Communicating:
- Never reveal personal information. No real names, birth dates, phone numbers, addresses, or anything identifiable in profiles or blogs. Screen names should be gender neutral.
Explain the dangers: 1 out of every 5 kids gets sexually solicited online. - Never meet a stranger. Ever. No talking, no meeting, no way. Make sure your kids know that if someone contacts them, attempts to meet them, or tries turn them against you or their teachers, that these are alerts, and they should tell you right away.
- Establish codes of conduct. If your kids wouldn't say something to someone's face, then they shouldn't put it in an IM or email. That means no cyber bullying. Emailing an embarrassing picture of someone is a form of cyber bullying!
- Be careful with passwords. That means no password sharing. Sharing a password with a friend is like sharing a germ — it doesn't spread anything good. Ask your kids for their passwords. The older ones may not want to give them to you (citing privacy — that's up to you), but for middle schoolers and younger, it's AOK for you to be able to check for inappropriate or dangerous communications.
- Set limits on time and use. For younger kids, have the computer in a central place. Draw clear boundaries: Whether it's no IM during homework or no email behind closed doors, make rules. Preferably before the computer turns on.
