MySpace, Blogs, and Chat: A Parent's Guide
- 1. Myspace, Blogs and Chat: A Parent’s Guide Presented by Angela Semifero, East Lansing Public Library
- 2. Keeping Up is Hard to Do Kids go on the Internet without us. The Internet is increasingly portable. Kids know more than we do. Anyone can post anything. It is difficult to balance the need for self-expression and privacy with the need for safety and security.
- 3. Definitions Blog Social Networking Site Chat Forum or Discussion Board
- 4. Pros and Cons of Online Communities Positives Sharing information Connecting with people who share your interests Learning new ideas Socializing Negatives Loss of Privacy Lack of in-person interaction Connecting with people you may not want to connect with Content may not be appropriate
- 5. Livejournal Usually used as an online diary, but some have specific topic focuses. Book Review Blog Web diary Pro-Anorexia Blog
- 6. Myspace Includes Profiles Blogs Music Events Bulletins Instant Messaging Videos Groups
- 7. Good and Bad Examples Good Examples Jane Austen John Green, Author Sting Graduating Class Evolutionary Psychology Group Contra Dancing Group Private Profile Bad Examples Too much information Too much info with pictures Illegal Activity I Hate Mr. Harris Group
- 8. Facebook Content College and High School Students The Wall Newsfeeds Courses Examples Normal Profile (relatively) Address Phone number and address
- 9. Flickr A site for uploading photos. Examples MSU Symphony Orchestra Wedding Photos Aviation Group
- 10. Youtube A site which allows the uploading of videos. Some videos are removed for copyright infringement. Science Project for Homeschoolers World War II Tony Awards Clip of Wicked Video Blog Popular from Wicked – Home Video
- 11. Forums and Discussion Boards Gaming Boards Television Discussions Book Discussions General Social Groups, wedding discussions, health, etc.
- 12. Safety Tips Make sure personal information is not given in a profile or screen name. Passwords are not to be shared. Discuss privacy settings on your child’s accounts. Remind you child that once something is posted, it can’t be taken back.
- 13. Internet Security Use anti-virus software Be wary of e-mail attachments Be wary of “phishing” Update your computer Back up your data Consider installing a firewall