Here is a release from the Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc. that I felt was relevant for this blog. If you have children, boys or girls, I think it is worth the read…
Garden City, August 13, 2009 –Have you ever wondered what your child was doing for hours on the computer? You’re often led to believe that he or she is doing homework, playing games, or doing research but in fact, your child is most likely on a social networking website.
Social networks are websites where children, teenagers and even adults can communicate with one another via the World Wide Web. This can be done through instant messaging, public comments and mutual friendship. The sites are relatively simple; one creates an account and instantly receives a profile in which they can upload pictures of themselves, post links to songs and videos, post information and connect with friends. Children find that these websites have become part of their social lives and a great tool for self-expression. Social networking sites also allow kids to play games, support charities and groups, and keep track of their events.
Although children can easily use and access these sites, they are not always mature enough to understand the consequences of their actions. They do not fully grasp the ramifications of posting personal information online. Unless your child has privacy settings on his/her profile, everyone can see the pictures and information that is posted.
Parents can play a key role in instilling lessons of responsibility and self-respect in their children. The Girl Scouts of Nassau County offers the following tips to parents to help make sure their children are safe in both their online and offline worlds.
“These guidelines are geared for parents,” says Donna Ceravolo, Executive Director of the Girl Scouts of Nassau County. “We hope that by educating the community about the implications of social networking, we can help make sure our children are safe and being responsible.”Find Your Child’s Profile:
The first thing you should do is find your child’s profile on a social networking website. See what is posted. Make sure your child is safe.Put the Least Amount of Information as Possible:
You need to understand why your child has created a profile. Once you know why your child is on the site, you can make sure they’re only providing the necessary information.Everyone Can See:
Don’t let your child post anything publicly that parents, teachers, strangers or the police shouldn’t see. Everything can be seen. And what you post on the Internet will stay there forever. Let your children know that college admission counselors and job interviewers look at these sites. It’s a good idea at first to have access to your child’s pages to be sure that they understand what is appropriate and what is not.Use Privacy Settings:
Make sure your children use the most restrictive privacy settings available on the social networking site.Set Rules:
Remind children of what is and isn’t appropriate to communicate and post online. If your child wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, they shouldn’t post it online. Also, make sure that they never meet a friend they’ve met through a social networking site unless approved by an adult.Enter the World of Social Networking Yourself:
Create a site of your own. Look at your child’s profiles regularly, and click on their friends’ profiles. Often, it’s your child’s friends who are posting pictures of them that shouldn’t be online, or giving details about their lives that could make them vulnerable.The Girl Scouts of America has partnered with Microsoft Corporation to create a new website that empowers girls to take control of their own online safety. The website includes videos, quizzes, forums and articles about topics like Internet safety, cyberbulling and online sexual predators. For more information, visit https://lmk.girlscouts.org.
Girl Scouts of Nassau County builds girls of courage, confidence and character. Girl Scouting in Nassau County creates an accepting and nurturing environment, which gives girls a chance to build character and receive skills for success in the real world. In partnership with committed adult volunteers, girls develop qualities that will serve them throughout their lives, like leadership, strong values, social conscience, and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. With more than 22,000 girl and 7,000 adult members, Girl Scouts of Nassau County has become the preeminent organization and leading authority for girls. The organization, now in its 97th year, continues to make the world a better place one girl at a time.
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