5 Tips to Use Facebooks, Twitters Gracefully
As the
social networking craze is growing among teens, cable, TV company
Comcast suggests these tips to maintain privacy while using the online
networks. It says parents should become familiar with networks like
Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace to advise their children about the
importance of being safe and smart while communicating online.
A
similar study shows that teen girls who depict themselves online in a
provocative way and who have a history of child abuse are more likely to
receive online sexual advances. Then they meet those individuals
offline. It suggests parents should know how their teenage girls present
themselves online. (Read:
Is Internet Bad for Teen Girls?)
"Social
networking sites can be great resources for staying in contact with
people, reconnecting with old friends, meeting people with common
interests, and getting questions answered, but unfortunately not
everyone who uses the Internet and social networking sites has honest
intentions," said Jay Opperman, senior director of Security and Privacy
at Comcast.
So here
are the Comcast tips:
Choose your pictures wisely: If you decide to post a picture of
yourself online, be very cautious about what you post.
Don't talk to strangers and use privacy settings: Some people are
looking to prey on children and teens online. Social networking sites
have privacy settings so you can control who can see your personal
page.
Keep
your personal information personal: Don't share personal information
such as your last name, parents' or siblings' names, phone number,
address, social security number, or where you like to hang out. People
with dishonest intentions can use this information to find you or steal
your identity.
Don't be a cyberbully: Don't bully people online or in person. You
wouldn't appreciate a schoolmate or even a stranger posting embarrassing
or harassing information about you or threatening you online so don't do
that to someone else.
Go
outside and stay active: Spend time with family and friends in
person. Walk the dog, learn how to play an instrument, get involved in
sports and other extracurricular after-school activities. Real life
connections with family, friends, and those most important to you should
be one of your top priorities.
My Techbox Online adds: You’d agree that social networks can’t
substitute traditional social relationships. While there’s a noisy
hoo-hah around social networks, they are nothing more than some free
hangouts for gullible youngsters who want to have some “cheap virtual
fun” – sometimes even
with fake identities. (Read:
Twitter TV On, Twitter TV Off)
While parents
need to guide their children on the safe use of social networks,
they can also tell them to stay away from these networks as far as
possible because of the uncultured
atmosphere on most such sites.
Bookmark this on Delicious 
Seed Newsvine
Your Comments:
