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Parents, don't let children run wild

ort-~cial networking Internet sites

Special to The Sun-Senduel children in the house as well as want to share infonnation
educate their kids 00 how to with. Have children restrict
RlOOELAND- The p0p­ play it safe online." aceess to their profile to only
ularity of social networking The Better Business Bureau mends or users in safe net­
rontinuelto grow among kids. offers the following tips for works such as their school,
They can provide a secure parents: . clubs or church groups.
way fur kids to connect wi1h • Explain the difference • Keep the channels ofcom­
each o1her, buttheycan also be between sharing and over­ munication open. Let kids
exploited for any numbec of sharing. While social network­ know that you are always
nefurious pmposes. According ing is about sharing photos, ready to talk if they are ever
to iStrategy Labs, the numbec thoughts and experiences, threatened, bullied or feel
of users on Facebook that are children, should never share mromfortable about an expe­
between the ages of 13 and 18 personal information such as rience they had online.
in 2009 grew to 10.1 million. phone numbers, address, bank: • Join them online. If you
While Facebook and account numbers, passwords haven't already, set up your
MySpace require all users to or Social Security numbers. own account in the same
be at least 13 yean; old, some • "Never talk to strangers" social networks to help you
sites are geared for children applies online too. One of the better tmderstand what social
even younger. first rules we teach our kids is networking is all about.
"In many instances, kids never to talk to strangers. Fedeml law requires sites
know more about computers Remind them that the rule also collecting identitYing informa­
and the Internet than their par­ applies when online. Even tion from children under 13 to
ents; however, it's important to though chatting with a get a parent's consent first
remember that kids aren't old stranger onJine can seem Report concerns about data
enough to understand all ofthe batmless, the relationship can rollection from children under
various threats that lurk: evolve and grow until the 13 to the Qilldren's Advertis­
online," said Bill Moak, presi­ stranger has earned your ing Review Unit ofthe C0un­
dentICEO of the ~ippi child's trust-and can then cil of Better Business Bureaus
Better Business Bureau. exploit it. at WWW.canLoq¥complaint,
"Even if they're "mtimidated • Set strict privacy settings­ You can learn more at I
by technology, parents need to Social networking sites let http://www.onguardonline.go
supervise the computer use of users determine who they vftopicsfnet-<:etera.aspx.