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Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 10/29/2009 4:32:47 PM
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Fritzpw_Admin
Posts: 8025
Joined: 2/28/2005
From: New Jersey
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quote:
Handling Social Media With Your Kids
Jim Burns, Ph.D. - HomeWord
Unless you've been hiding under a rock for the past few years, you're aware of the rise in popularity of social media with teens. From texting on cell phones to websites such as Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube, today's kids are engaging in social media at an ever-increasing rate.
I probably don't have to say this, but the reality is: Social media is not a fad, and has become part of the fabric of American youth culture. It's estimated that during this year (2009), 15.5 million teen Internet users (75%) will use social networking websites[1]. Facebook alone is said to have 300 million active users worldwide.[2] and is the third most-visited website on the Internet, behind Google and Yahoo! In the course of a month, some 24% of all Internet users visit Facebook. And, two other social media sites, YouTube and MySpace hold the fourth and fifth spots as most visited websites in the U.S.[3]. Still, parents have to make choices about whether they will allow their adolescent kids to use these websites. And, if they allow their kids access to these sites, parents must provide both boundaries and oversight to their usage.
Talking to your kids about social media should be a top priority. Here are some of my thoughts on handling social media in your home.
Understand Why Today's Kids Use Social Media.
When we were teenagers and couldn't hang out face-to-face with our friends, phones were the communication tools of the day. But, today's teens now have many social media options such as social networking websites, instant messaging and using cell phone text messaging. Our kids find these options more to their liking than talking on the phone. They can multitask better via online methods, communicate briefly, and can't be overheard by their parents...
Read the rest of Handling Social Media With Your Kids
First off... I wish every parent would read this article. Having been involved in social networking in one form or another for 12 years I know the dangers and risks that are present. They are real and they are hurting our kids. Parents... please take some time to talk to your kids about social media... Now... on to my question.
What precautions have you put in place for your kids regarding social network sites?
Share some experiences you've had with your family and social networks.
< Message edited by Fritzpw_Admin -- 11/3/2009 10:59:02 AM >
_____________________________
Fred "Fritz" Alberti
Director of Social Media
fritz@salemwebnetwork.com
Read today's Bible verse from my favorite online Bible
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RE: Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 10/29/2009 4:56:07 PM
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ladioffaith
Posts: 3167
Joined: 3/31/2005
From: NE Ohio (L.A. . . Lower Akron)
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I'm not a parent ... but I have several nieces and nephews. My youngest niece (she's 11) LIVED on her mom's computer when she was living with her. Now that she's living with her dad, she has no internet access at all unless she's at a library or my house.
I was encouraged that she had to tell me what her e-mail address was to "friend" her on Facebook. So at least she has her privacy settings set appropriately. I know she's very careful about who she is friends with and we all are very careful about what she sees. I've checked hers a few times since I found out she was on it and haven't seen anything out of the ordinary. Unless you count the "what kind of spirit is watching you" request, sent by her crazy mother!
My computer is in the living room by design. When kids are at my house, I can see exactly what they're doing. So far it's just games.
I have told her that it can be dangerous to talk to strangers whether it's online or elsewhere. For instance, if she tells people her parents names or the town where she lives or the name of her school, she's giving away more info than she knows.
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~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with
his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph. 3:17
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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RE: Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 10/30/2009 12:42:27 AM
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manda59
Posts: 8165
Joined: 9/22/2005
From: Hampshire, UK
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ladioffaith
I'm not a parent ... but I have several nieces and nephews. My youngest niece (she's 11) LIVED on her mom's computer when she was living with her. Now that she's living with her dad, she has no internet access at all unless she's at a library or my house.
I was encouraged that she had to tell me what her e-mail address was to "friend" her on Facebook.
Only thing is, ladioffaith, minimum age for Facebook is 13, so it means she lied about her age to get an account.
_____________________________
"Manda.....you said what I tried to say, just much better"
sharonjef, October 2009
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RE: Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 10/30/2009 11:56:37 AM
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stampinlady
Posts: 2576
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Northern IL
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Dd was to young to do MySpace and isn't interested in that one, but loves Facebook. I have her password and go on her site perodically to monitor what's being said. She will be 16 next week and has knows that I and her father monitor everything because we love her and it's our duty. She's never pitched a fit about it and we don't throw it in her face and give her plenty of room. She know the rules. Ds will be 15 on Sunday and has a Facebook. He's rarely on in and I have no idea what his password is because he set it up without me. Different kid all together than his sister. He knows the rules too. I alos have a FB and they are my friends an cna see what going on that way. I think it's a fun way for them to connect with old and new friends and relatives and it gives them a way to express themselves outside of school and home.
< Message edited by stampinlady -- 10/30/2009 12:49:21 PM >
_____________________________
Deb
"In my opinion, we don't devote nearly enough scientific research to finding a cure for jerks."
Calvin and Hobbes
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RE: Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 10/30/2009 12:03:16 PM
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manda59
Posts: 8165
Joined: 9/22/2005
From: Hampshire, UK
Status: offline
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My son set up Facebook when he was 18 and started Uni. He really wasn't interested in it before that. When he got his Facebook, my daughter, who was then 14, asked if she could have it. So I set it up for her, on the understanding that I'd have her password. She would not have been allowed to have it otherwise. She's now 16, and I still have her password - she's more than happy for me to check her FB whenever I want to and will often ask my opinion about this or that person, or something that has been posted. She has also reported things (photos, videos) to FB which she does not think are appropriate, and as a result FB has deleted them.
_____________________________
"Manda.....you said what I tried to say, just much better"
sharonjef, October 2009
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RE: Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 10/31/2009 2:07:18 PM
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Consecrated2God
Posts: 4910
Joined: 4/4/2005
From: Formerly Jesus Land
Status: online
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Mine aren't old enough for FB yet, although my oldest will be thirteen in a few months. I feel like the strict mom, since most of their friends (even their homeschooled friends) are on FB already even though some of them are as young as 10.
I'm on FB too, and I'm pretty active, so I'll be pretty involved with them when they are old enough to start Facebooking.
_____________________________
"A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not faith."--Richard Wurmbrand
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RE: Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 11/1/2009 2:13:24 AM
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peculiar_lady2
Posts: 4292
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Harvie
One of my (non-christian) friends was having issues with her 17 year old daughter who did NOT want her mom (my friend) on her Facebook friends list because she didn't want her mom "spying" on her. The compromise that was reached? I'm on her Facebook friends list and I get to "spy" on her, lol! She has apparently complained once or twice to her mom that I'm "more conservative and strict" than her mom is ... and sometimes she doesn't always "appreciate" my cautionary comments on her page.... LOL! Her mom just smiles and reminds her that she can choose parental supervision, or Harvie supervisiion!
Hmmm ... maybe I could rent myself out as "adult supervision?" LOL!
LOL...that's too funny Harvie. When mine get to that age I will have to keep you in mind for an extra pair of eyes...lol
My oldest is only 10, so no social networking sites for my kids yet. We will not let them lie to get an account before the rules state they can, but when the time comes it won't be an option to not friend us and others (like Harvie) that we deem ok for their friends lists. We will closely monitor their lists to make sure everyone on it is ok, and their content to make sure they are being safe and everything is good to go. I don't mind not "knowing" some people IRL, so I would definitely let my kids add kids of some of my online friends (like Donna and Lisa) when they are the right age. However, other unknown people they "meet" online will have to pas a very strict background sort of check for us to be totally comfortable with them having anyone on their friends lists that they do not know personally.
Our computer is in the open common area of the house...always has been, and always will be. If/when we switch to laptops, they will be under strict rules with those too as to where they can and can't go. We homeschool, so in the next few years we will try to get the older two kids (now 10yo, and 8yo- will be 9yo next month) their own computers. Once we do that, we will definitely be watching carefully and checking up on them every day.
_____________________________
Proud to be...  
"When God said 'brains', some thought He said 'trains' and got on the wrong track" -Maxine
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RE: Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 11/1/2009 10:26:08 PM
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PrincessDonna
Posts: 6478
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Cow country, Upstate NY
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Same as many others here...
-no lying and getting a FB or whatever before you're allowed.
-mom/dad/grandma/aunts will all be friended
-we will have the password (already do for oldest's email and game account)
-no chatting with people you don't know. There really is no need for kids to be doing that.
-no youtube without mom or dad right there.
-computers are used in public spaces. Always. Right now, not an issue because we only have a desktop.
-if you break the rules or do anything questionable, computer access will be extremely restricted.
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RE: Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 11/4/2009 8:28:00 AM
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Tinkerbell_
Posts: 8047
Joined: 1/25/2008
From: NeverNeverLand
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When Thing 1 turned 13 I opened a facebook page for him and I have access to it, and to his email. He also has the password to mine as he checks on my apps occasionally.
He is not allowed to friend any adult I don't know, or any kids he doesn't know from school or church.
Mah hunny, Thing 1, and I all do farmville on facebook so that's something we can do together and talk about frequently.
So far it's gone pretty well. 
_____________________________
When I've shown you that I just don't care
When I'm throwing punches in the air
When I'm broken down and I can't stand
Will you be strong enough to be my man?
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RE: Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 11/6/2009 5:37:46 PM
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Narcil
Posts: 50
Joined: 3/16/2006
From: San Diego, CA
Status: offline
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While my kids aren't old enough for "social media," we will be taking the following precautions:
1. Computer is in a centrally located part of the house, no one can use it in private.
2. My wife and I will have the passwords and sign-in names of all our kids accounts, or they don't get on the computer.
3. We don't do text messaging on the cell phones, and although I might get them cell phones once they are old enough to drive on their own, they won't have fancy iPhones (as cool as those are) or some equivalent that will let them get on the internet, FB, My Space, etc.
4. Certainly no TV's in anyone's bedroom.
_____________________________
"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." - Martin Luther
My blog: Here
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RE: Handling Social Media With Your Kids - 11/6/2009 6:16:26 PM
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GroupW
Posts: 2531
Joined: 11/16/2007
From: Up in the hills of Colorado (very BIG hills...)
Status: online
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My son (10) as email, but that's it.
He can send and receive emails only to the people listed in his address book, and we control that.
_____________________________
“For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, elegant and wrong.” -H.L. Mencken
"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so." -Bertrand Russell
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