David Riewe is the webmaster of Daves-InfoRama. Read more articles about MySpace by visiting MySpace Advice
There are a lot of teens who are using MySpace. Individuals over the age of 14 are eligible to use MySpace so as a result there are many teenagers who are members of the online MySpace community. These young members may appreciate the opportunity to express their creativity, express their feelings, meet new friends or stay in touch with their old friends but they should also be aware that there is the potential for danger on any Internet community. Making kids aware of this is helpful but there is also a certain degree of parental involvement which is necessary to keep kids safe when they are online.
Enforcing Household Internet Rules
Kids who use MySpace, or the Internet in general, should be restricted to a few household rules regarding Internet usage. Putting these rules in place can be very helpful in reducing the potential for danger. Some of the general Internet rules parents might consider are:
* Do not post full name and address online or even school location. This will help to prevent stalking which could become a problem if online predators know where your child lives or go to school.
* Restrict Internet usage to specific hours during the day. This can prevent overuse of the Internet.
* Do not agree to meet online friends in person without consent. Ideally the parents should also accompany their children on these meetings and should ensure the meetings take place in a well lit, public location such as a coffee shop as opposed to a secluded spot such as an individual's home.
* Do not respond to threats or harassment. Kids should be taught to ignore this type of behavior and report these instances to parents or the Internet service provider instead of responding to the threats. Responding to threats or harassing messages can exacerbate a potentially harmful situation.
* Internet usage should be restricted to high traffic locations in the house. For example kids should only be allowed to use the Internet in computers which are in locations such as the family room or kitchen as opposed to allowing kids Internet access in their bedrooms.
Monitoring Online Interactions
Parents whose children have a MySpace account should monitor their child's online interactions on a regular basis to ensure these interactions are not potentially harmful. Parents should be particularly concerned when children are interacting with older individuals who engage in activities which are not appropriate for the child's age or when the children are interacting with those who might be a negative influence on the child.
Parents should also be aware that those their child is interacting with may not be honest about their identity. For example a parent may think it is harmless for their 15 year old daughter to engage in flirtatious banter with a 16 year old boy but there is the possibility that her online friend is really a much older individual. Parents should monitor these activities for suspicious behavior or suggestions of meeting in person.
Reviewing the Terms of Service
Finally, parents who want to keep their kid safe on MySpace should familiarize themselves with the online community as well as the terms of service and privacy policy. This will give the parents a better idea of the type of activities their children are engaging in and being exposed to as well as the safety precautions which are in place to help you protect your child.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A




Download Celebrities Mobile Videos Adds Entertainment To The Life Of People
By: Nisha Garg | 10/07/2009Celebrities mobile video is a craze among people with which a person can admire his/her favorite celebrity. Videos which are available are of special moments and clippings. Latest celebrity videos can be easily downloaded from the Internet and people can enjoy a lot a these videos.
Grow Your Orbit of Expectation with Nokia Mobile Phones
By: Alden Jerry | 10/07/2009Being a working professional I have to visit different places frequently and stay connected with workstation. So, I was in a search of a gadget that can serve all my professional requirements. Nokia mobile phones became a surprise package to me.
Download Celebrities Mobile Videos Adds Entertainment To The Life Of People
By: Nisha Garg | 10/07/2009Celebrities mobile video is a craze among people with which a person can admire his/her favorite celebrity. Videos which are available are of special moments and clippings. Latest celebrity videos can be easily downloaded from the Internet and people can enjoy a lot a these videos.
Nokia N97 - The All-in-one Smartphone
By: Alden Jerry | 10/07/2009With more and more technologically advanced mobiles entering the market, the manufacturers have to strive harder and harder to produce the latest mobiles with up to date technological features. Nokia has taken out it's 'N' Series, a range of highly advanced Smart phones loaded with features and these have turned heads in the market. The Nokia N97 is one such mobile which has loads to offer.
Nokia N96 : Incredible Gadget with Incredible Features
By: Alden Jerry | 10/07/2009Nowadays, communication is not just bound within a certain limit. Mobile phones have made the individuals' life easier. The Nokia N96 is one of the popular handsets launched a big brand 'Nokia', that has eased the life of people.
Running a Home Based Business with Satellite Internet
By: Oswald Melman | 09/07/2009The cat’s out of the bag. Millions of people are starting their very own businesses, right from the coziness of their living rooms and making a killing online. The phrase rolling out of bed has taken on new proportions and people are literally making their living from within fifteen feet of where they sleep. It’s really a huge shift.
Getting to Know the World Around You with Satellite Internet
By: Oswald Melman | 09/07/2009Ever heard the song ‘It’s a small world’? As the song proclaims, it’s a small world after all; because really, we are all just people, people living in a small world. The song has never rang so true as it does today. The simple reason behind this is that we are now more connected than we have been ever before. It’s the technology.
Get Your Media Fix with Satellite Internet
By: Oswald Melman | 09/07/2009These days, people are turning to the internet to get their media fix. Who in today’s high octane, fast paced world, can’t live without their Youtube videos, iTunes songs and online news outlets? Even those who live in the quiet and tranquility of rural America get connected to the world at large via satellite internet. High speed broadband is a must in these velocity obsessed times.
Do Not Let The Furnishings Fool You
By: David Riewe | 29/03/2007 | Real EstateRenters who are viewing apartment complexes are often led to furnished models which have been tastefully decorated. Although the furnishings in these model apartments are usually very aesthetically appealing they also usually serve another purpose as well. This other purpose is to make the room appear larger than it is....
How Much Apartment Can You Afford?
By: David Riewe | 29/03/2007 | Real EstateDeciding how much apartment they can afford is one of the most important decisions a renter will have to make. This decision will help to determine a number of factors include the size and location of the potential apartment as well as the types of amenities offered. Those who are...
Decorating A Rental Apartment
By: David Riewe | 29/03/2007 | Real EstateThose who live in a rental apartment are usually quite limited in the amount of decorating they are able to do. This can have the impact of making a rental apartment not quite feel like a real home. In many cases the rental apartment is painted a bright white and...
Dealing With Neighbors In An Apartment
By: David Riewe | 29/03/2007 | Real EstateOne of the major disadvantages to renting an apartment is the potential for conflict with the neighbors. While some renters may foster incredible relationships with all of their neighbors and never once have a disagreement with a neighbor this is not a likely scenario. Most renters experience at least one...
Consider The Amenities
By: David Riewe | 28/03/2007 | Real EstateThe amenities on a rental property can often be the deciding factor for many renters. The available amenities may make a less affordable property seem more appealing. Conversely a property which is more expensive may be considered worthwhile if the amenities offered are considered valuable enough to compensate for the...
Caring For A Rental Property
By: David Riewe | 11/12/2006 | Real EstateThose who live in a rental property may have questions regarding how they should care for their domicile. While treating the property with respect and not intentionally doing damage to the property should be understood there are other gray areas where renters may not be sure what their rights and...
Benefits Of Renting
By: David Riewe | 11/12/2006 | Real EstateWhile there are some renters who view renting an apartment or a house as a failure, there are others who see the benefits there are to be gained from renting a property as opposed to purchasing a property. Some of the benefits of renting include the ability to save money...