Blog Safety

The info below applies to blogging sites like Xanga or Blogger, as well as social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, or Bebo.

Blogs and social networking sites are NOT evil; parents and teens just have to use common sense the same way you would anywhere else on the Internet. For instance, sharing too much personal information on sites like MySpace, Facebook or Xanga could put your family at risk for cyberstalkers or other freaks who want to hurt people. Remember that the primary reason for teen abduction is sexual abuse and exploitation. Be careful who you trust.

ALL BLOGGERS: Be aware of the information you blog about in your daily postings, individual entries may not give away too much info but combined with other entries may reveal too much info about you.

Everything you post on the internet is in the public domain and anyone, anywhere can read it; that means pictures of yourself, descriptions of where you live, and anything you write about yourself or your friends is available. Any weirdo who is searching for a kid to hurt will find this information useful. AGAIN, be careful who you trust.

Here are some basic things for parents to do and to think about regarding blogs and social networking sites:

• Parents should ask teens whether they have a page on one of the sites.
• Parents should discuss their children's pages with them and how to use them safely and appropriately.
• Children younger than 14 shouldn't use social networking sites.
• Teens shouldn't post contact information of any kind, photos or personal details.
• Teens should never talk to adult strangers online. Parents, you should be acquainted with online friends the same way you are with any other friends your child has.
• Most social networking sites have a feature that allows only your child's friends to view content, it is a good idea to use this feature to stay safe online. Check your privacy settings and be sure your personal information isn't viewable by the whole world.
• Having a website is a privilege just like going out or spending time with friends, kids who abuse this privilege should lose it.
• As a last resort, contact the Web site to shut down an inappropriate page your child keeps posting against your wishes.

The best way to stay safe online

Still, the best way to stay safe online is to NOT RESPOND to people you don't know if they try to contact you. Even if someone tries to provoke you or bully you into responding to them, fight the urge to put them in their place and tell a safe adult.

Think about it, if I send you an email and you never respond, how do I know if you even exist? I don't.

Even if someone tries to provoke you into making a response, don't do it, that is exactly what internet trolls and bullies want you to do.

If necessary. log off and find something else to do for a while.