Myspace- teen safety

[Kurt]

That's what parental controls are for. It works for us right now but I realize there are ways around it.

Parental controls only keep you from feeling helpless. The interent is everywhere. I don't blame you for trying and it's great that you care.

Education is the answer and I'm not talking about school.

 

[Ocean Lover]

I have no idea how my post, quoting you, jumped ahead of your post.

Anywho, OL, did you say that you tell your kids that you are tracking them?

They know but they have nothing to hide. Really, I have pretty naive kids, 10 and 12. The only think Sam is interested in on the internet is fashion and music and Dylan just loves the games. We are very involved in our church and Sam is in with a great group of friends who all participate in youth group. I feel this will be a good support system for her.

Obviously we have AOL but it will track any website visited...myspace..etc.. but we only use the internet explorer browser. Did that answer your question?

 

[Smiling JOe]

Parental controls only keep you from feeling helpless. The interent is everywhere. I don't blame you for trying and it's great that you care.

Education is the answer and I'm not talking about school.

Good point, computers and internet access is available at many locations, even your public library. There have been recent battles and ongoing battles fighting over free speach and the internet through libraries. So far, free speach seems to be winning. Even though most libraries have policies against lascivious materials (including via the internet), that alone cannot stop someone from accessing sexually provacative websites from the library. Some libraries with special sections for kids, may have filters blocking kids from accessing, and the library typically doesn't allow kids to use the puters for adults.

I think the primary point I hear being made from most people is that the material is readily accessible for anyone interested in seeing it, so you best be talking straight with your kids about the joys and sorrows of sex -- I think that most parents tend to focus on only the negative parts, and that can really screw up a kid in many ways, especially when they try to rebel against their parents and do everything the parents say not to do. Remind the kids that every choice in their life becomes a part of them forever, whether good or bad choices, they are their own choices -- just as Bobby J's signature quote states.

 

[Smiling JOe]

They know but they have nothing to hide. Really, I have pretty naive kids, 10 and 12. The only think Sam is interested in on the internet is fashion and music and Dylan just loves the games. We are very involved in our church and Sam is in with a great group of friends who all participate in youth group. I feel this will be a good support system for her.

Obviously we have AOL but it will track any website visited...myspace..etc.. but we only use the internet explorer browser. Did that answer your question?

Not really. In the past, as an AOL user, you could access the web via AOL, or you could escape the AOL vortex and bypass AOL to access the WWW. (That may no longer hold true today -- I don't know.) My question is, if you bypass AOL to access the WWW, will it still trace you activity?

 

[Unplugged]

Just remember this. My opposition is not due to the safety issues. You guys have all covered that and I am with you on that. Private Profiles...I understand. My opposition is what they are exposed to. You may as well leave a stack of pornos by the dvd player and say "now, don't watch those" because they can see it all on Myspace. The first time my daughter asked me about it, was right after Taylor Behl, the girl from the college in Virginia, had been murdered. During the news coverage of that murder it mentioned her and her murderers Myspace pages. So...when my daughter asked I checked it out. Almost immediately, I was staring right at a guy in his birthday suit with the heading "take a good look girls before tom deletes me again". Next I see animated sex taking place and this was the avatar of a young girl (age 14). And I could go on and on. It is just not appropriate. If you don't think they will look think again. Kids can't help it.

We don't have kids, which would most certainly alter my perspective to a degree. I have to agree with imasunbum - MySpace does way more harm than good for young children IMO. From my observations, too many parents seem to exhibit a laissez fair attitude regarding MySpace and the internet in general, when it comes to what their kids are exposed to.

I don't have the magic solution, but I am amazed at the 'freedoms' some parents give their very young kids these days regarding the web in general, which I feel translates to a breakdown in family discipline.
________________________________

 

[Ocean Lover]

Parental controls only keep you from feeling helpless. The interent is everywhere. I don't blame you for trying and it's great that you care.

Education is the answer and I'm not talking about school.

ITA, I'm like KD with her son, talk about things and try to keep the lines of communication open. Mostly b/c I didn't feel comfortable talking with my parents about anything! I really want to keep the close relationship I have with my kids. I was the quiet, well-behaved middle child that went through somewhat of a rebellion as a teenager. This was going on for a couple of years before my parents even caught on. It makes me more aware as a parent.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Not really. In the past, as an AOL user, you could access the web via AOL, or you could escape the AOL vortex and bypass AOL to access the WWW. (That may no longer hold true today -- I don't know.) My question is, if you bypass AOL to access the WWW, will it still trace you activity?

Not sure, since it's an AOL service I wouldn't think so but who knows?

 

[Ocean Lover]

We don't have kids, which would most certainly alter my perspective to a degree. I have to agree with imasunbum - MySpace does way more harm than good for young children IMO. From my observations, too many parents seem to exhibit a laissez fair attitude regarding MySpace and the internet in general, when it comes to what their kids are exposed to.

I don't have the magic solution, but I am amazed at the 'freedoms' some parents give their very young kids these days regarding the web in general, which I feel translates to a breakdown in family discipline.________________________________

I know parents that allow computers in the kid's bedrooms and don't monitor a thing. Unfathomable to me. But that's just me.

 

[Ocean Lover]

Good point, computers and internet access is available at many locations, even your public library. There have been recent battles and ongoing battles fighting over free speach and the internet through libraries. So far, free speach seems to be winning. Even though most libraries have policies against lascivious materials (including via the internet), that alone cannot stop someone from accessing sexually provacative websites from the library. Some libraries with special sections for kids, may have filters blocking kids from accessing, and the library typically doesn't allow kids to use the puters for adults.

I think the primary point I hear being made from most people is that the material is readily accessible for anyone interested in seeing it, so you best be talking straight with your kids about the joys and sorrows of sex -- I think that most parents tend to focus on only the negative parts, and that can really screw up a kid in many ways, especially when they try to rebel against their parents and do everything the parents say not to do. Remind the kids that every choice in their life becomes a part of them forever, whether good or bad choices, they are their own choices -- just as Bobby J's signature quote states.

:clap_1:

 

[Jdarg]

The only computer in the house that has internet is in the office- which opens onto the main living area of our house. I can sit on the couch, glance over my shoulder, and see the screen. We Myspace music every now and then, but I find much of the Myspace stuff annoying (maybe you veterans can tell me what I am missing? Other than the fact that I am 42 and not cool). Plus, Will knows that his dad can find out what sites he has visited.

Lately he is obsessed with Google Earth. I think we are pretty safe, unless there is now a Big Hooters of Google Earth site or something... Of course LL and RO would have found that site by now if it did exist.