Myspace- teen safety

[Ocean Lover]

Do any of your teenagers have myspace pages and if so, do you monitor them? I think my daughter is too young but some of her older friends have them. I know you have to approve friends-- but do you only allow them to agree to be friends with people they already know? Just wondering how you are handling this. What age do you think is suitable for myspace?

 

[kathydwells]

Do any of your teenagers have myspace pages and if so, do you monitor them? I think my daughter is too young but some of her older friends have them. I know you have to approve friends-- but do you only allow them to agree to be friends with people they already know? Just wondering how you are handling this. What age do you think is suitable for myspace?

My son has a myspace page. I do as well because I told him he could have a page only if I was one of his friends. I monitor it everday. How old is your daughter? My son is 13. They are supposed to be 15, but I think it is ok if you monitor what they are doing. Some people will not agree with me on the age thing, but as long as I am monitoring what goes on then I think it is ok. Just my .02 cents worth.

 

[bsmart]

My son has a myspace page. I do as well because I told him he could have a page only if I was one of his friends. I monitor it everday. How old is your daughter? My son is 13. They are supposed to be 15, but I think it is ok if you monitor what they are doing. Some people will not agree with me on the age thing, but as long as I am monitoring what goes on then I think it is ok. Just my .02 cents worth.

I agree. I think if you are monitoring their every move then it is ok for teenagers to have a myspace page.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I am not one to search myspace for teens, but from what I hear, you best check to see what photos your daughters are posting of themselves. I know that many of the adults (over 18) post some pretty sexy photos, even the shy people. Remembering back a few years, I recall how it was "cool" to be liked by everyone, and for some people today, posting seductive photos of themself on myspace, seems to get the attention. You can see on your home page, the number of people who have checked out your page. I am sure it corresponds directly to the things which are being said and the photos posted by the user.

I find myspace to be a funn connection source for people and music, but I am sure that some people misuse it greatly.

 

[30gAy]

I'm going to start a website to compete with MySpace.

MySpaceBetweenMyEars.com

It will be THE place for vapid conversation.

 

[Rita]

OL, My daughter (14) has a myspace site and must only accept friends who she already knows. I do not monitor it, but remind her from time to time not to approve anyone to enter her site other than people known to her. She doesn't have a picture showing her face on her info page, and doesn't post too much personal info.

For younger kids, the problem I see is the easy access to a number of sites that I don't think they need to be checking out.

.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Okay, once your son or daughter has approved a friend, what stops them from checking out friends of friends of friends?

 

[Rudyjohn]

Definately monitor it, but be aware that there are also ways for them to have more than one page (different name, etc.) and you would only know about the one you "monitor." They all have them, and yes, some (not all) of the girls wear very little and are very promiscuous. My son knows that I monitor his some but he says much more intense conversations (thus more worrisome) are exchanged via text messaging and instant messaging. The myspace page is more of an "identity" or personality resume.

It's the pictures they take of each other and then post them on their myspace page wtih the youth's first and last name!!! That will float out there forever. If your youth does something stupid at a party and then decides to run for office or is entering college, a job interview, it can be traced! There are so many senseless kids that don't have a clue about the damage to their careers & others' this can cause.

It's a real sign of the times. It all goes back to hoping you have taught them to be careful, ethical, and thoughtful. You can only hope.

 

[Rudyjohn]

Okay, once your son or daughter has approved a friend, what stops them from checking out friends of friends of friends?

Nothing... they can just keep going & going & going...

They need to be savvy kids and even a little suspicious of others. Not completely trusting. They will "meet" undesirables. Sorta like we did when we were teens and met undesirables at the beach, the arcade, the movie, the mall. We always knew to be careful. It's the same thing.

Talk about it too. My son rolls his eyes sometime, but he also says he understands where I'm coming from.

 

[Mermaid]

My two (17 and 19 years old) don't bother with myspace anymore. They go on facebook.com to talk to their friends. You have to be either college or high school aged to use it and it's smaller and more private, and therefore safer. Not that they don't mind their Ps and Qs anyway. You really have to when you talk on the internet.

I guess the best thing to do if younger teens are accessing sites like that to gab with their friends is to tell them straightforwardly about the dangers that come with the internet. Make them aware and careful.