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