If you have a teenager, chances are they spend some of their time on social networking sites. Social networking sites such as MySpace, Friendster, Xanga and Facebook have become increasingly popular and chances are your child might have a profile on one of these sites.     

What is a social networking Web site?

According to www.NetSmartz.org, blogs and social networking sites are destinations online where people can meet, communicate and interact. Like most new technological developments, this brings both positive and negative implications, especially for parents and their children. The majority of the activity on these sites is legal and can be positive.

Young people who are curious connect with friends and seek like-minded individuals. However, many children and teens are not aware they may be putting themselves in potential danger by giving out too much personal information and communicating with people they've only met online.

What do the various social networking sites have in common?

The most common characteristics shared by social networking sites are:

• The user creates a profile with common items included such as: name, photo, age, interests, location, school attended, etc.
• The user can post photos and videos at the site.
• The user creates a network of "friends" at the site- often hundreds or thousands. The member's friends are listed at the site and the friends' sites can be viewed as well.
• The user's friends can make comments/postings at the site.
• The user can blog, or provide journal entries and commentary at the site.

Who's on social networking Web sites?

The largest of the social networking sites, MySpace.com, has more than 80 million  members (Source: MySpace.com).  These sites are very popular with teens. But even politicians, moviemakers, bands and businesses have created accounts.

What are the potential risks children and teens can encounter on social networking sites?

The unprecedented amount of personal information, including cell phone numbers, addresses and photos, that might be available on social networking sites, makes them a perfect place for people who would harm children to find victims and gain their trust. This trust can be used to lure children and teens into a false sense of security, making them vulnerable to "grooming" and enticement to meet in person, which could have very serious consequences. Other dangers to children include exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying or identity theft.

What can I do as a parent or guardian to make sure my child is safer on social networking sites?

To better understand this new way of communicating, visit www.NetSmartz.org where parents and guardians can find tips to teach their children safer social networking, such as:

1. Enter into a safe-computing contract with your child about his or her use of these sites and computer use in general.
2. Know each of your children's passwords, screen names and all account information.
3. Discuss with your child that you are going to monitor what your child and your child's friends are posting regarding your child's identity. Often children and their friends have accounts linked to one another, so it's not just your child's profile and information you need to worry about.

Keep in mind...

Members of social networking sites should keep in mind that their profile is posted in public. In addition to friends looking at their site, it is available for everyone to see including teachers, police, employers, and potential perpetrators.
 
Most experts agree: The solution to online safety is education, supervision and communication with your children. You can stay informed about the ever-changing Internet at www.incredibleinternet.com.