Social Networking and Teenagers

Social Networking Part of a Teenager’s Life?

Many parents worry about their kids getting online-whether on forums and social networking and wonder what they are doing? If you’re one of those parents you need to face the reality that it is part of modern-day lifestyle of teenagers. Nevertheless, you need to keep an eye on them and that may include spying.

There are many social networking sites for those 13 years of age plus; such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Gaia Online, MOG, Myspace and Zoppa. Face book being the most popular of them all.

The saying what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. In social networking however, this cannot be further than the truth what happens on Facebook circulates on Facebook and may potentially become incredibly viral. Therefore, what your teenager is doing online is more permanent and damaging to your child’s reputation and has a dramatic influence on their character and social circles.

Social networking messages are a great way for kids to keep in touch with friends and to express themselves but are rather limited with developing their social skills like a face-to-face discussion. The offline world is full of prowlers and they know very well how to target their prey in the virtual world where porn, cyber bullying, identity theft and sexual predators hang about.

Alarming trends and statistics that will get parents reasonably concerned about teenagers and social networking.

More and more we see, teens between the ages 12-17 have their own computer, go online, sometimes every day, they use their cell phone to get online and those with a game console use it to go online.

Over 70% of teens are on a social network and the average teen has approximately 150 Facebook friends. Half of them send messages to friends every day!

Moreover, teens regularly comment on a friend’s wall and pictures, send private messages to friends, send IM or text messages using the site and also send group messages.

What else takes place on Facebook? Teens often give out personal information to someone they don’t know, including photos and physical descriptions. They can also post mean information, embarrassing photos or spread rumors about someone else. Many of them have had a private or embarrassing information made public without their permission and also have been cyberpranked!

As we can see children have easy access to getting online and are communicating at incredible intensity. There are many solutions you can do to take control of your teen’s behavior. Every family is different and the best approach in establishing your concerns is to keep an open communication, respect and love your teen. Instill the values and beliefs you want your child to embrace and enforce them. If you are overwhelmed and concerned you may consider getting Facebook parental controls. They monitor and report on inappropriate content, cyber bullying, strangers, age concerns, hacked accounts, malicious links etc…

My advice for parents, invest in spending a few couple of dollars to get the peace of mind and for your child’s safety!

Is your teen showing signs of disrespect? How can You Feel Like A Good Parent Even When Your Teenager Hates You? Click Here! for more information.