Counselor's Corner

MySpace, FaceBook and other chat sites - Be Smart.

by Debbie Arp

April 09, 2008

By Tweed W. Ross, Ed.D, Nets T – IB, VD, VIA, VID

The four major online social networking sites that have enjoyed phenomenal popularity with young people are MySpace (www.myspace.com) ; FaceBook (www.facebook.com); Xanga(www.xanga.com) and Youtube (www.youtube.com). Parents and students should be aware that social networking sites, like any new technology tool, can be powerful and fun, but dangerous if misused.

Here are 5 common-sense rules for safely enjoying these services:

Post only what you are comfortable having others see today and next year. Today’s funny picture of you having a blast at somebody’s party may be very embarrassing when you seek employment in a few years. (Counselor’s comment: Some college admissions representatives and coaches request to be allowed to see student’s internet pages – athletic and academic scholarships have been revoked due to questionable and inappropriate pictures and postings.)

Do not divulge to strangers information that could put you in jeopardy. Not everyone who joins these services is who he or she claims to be, and impersonation is easily accomplished. You may think you are talking to a fellow teenager when, in fact, you are visiting with someone who will later turn out to be a stalker or identity thief. Dangerous information to divulge includes personal financial records, addresses, and schedules that tell others where you are and when you may be vulnerable.

Computers should be in public areas of the home and parents should be involved in any online communication that students are having with strangers. Privacy is certainly something to be respected, but students should be aware of their parents’ concerns and interest in their well-being. A tell-tale sign that a social networking site is being misused is if your child minimizes the computer screen anytime you came near. (Counselor’s comment: There are chat abbreviations that students use such as, “POS” which stands for “Parent Over Shoulder” – more information can be found at www.cybertipline.com, and

http://www.missingkids.com/adcouncil/lingo.html )

Report to authorities and your Internet service provider any suspicious activities you or your children encounter while using social networking sites.

5. Watch what you say about your friends in the social networking sites—for 2 reasons: 1, it may hurt their feelings; 2, others may be looking to gather private information about them. (Counselor’s comment: Cyber-bullying is real and often has tragic consequences. Please see Mrs. Jansonius’s monthly article and the Frontline clip, “Growing up Online” located on the DCHS website)