I see this all the time on sites like Myspace, one kids says they are going to a movie then others post that they want to go also, then some will post their home phone number telling the others to call them about a time, or what movie to watch. Kids still don’t get it and parents are still being naïve. Parents, talk to your kids about giving out there phone number online. A online predator, with your phone number, now has a viable and tangible target. Someone who steals identities now has most of their work done for them. Always remember that once something is posted on the Internet it has the potential to reach millions of people and some of those people are looking for opportunities just like this.
You must teach your kids not to give out personal information online. You also must teach them not to assume an internet friend is who they say they are. Kids with accounts on Teenspot or any other social networking site all want friends and the more the better. They generally accept anyone who asks to be their friend. Then, the relationships begin. All a predator has to do is spend a week or two chatting with an unassuming naïve child to get their phone number or address. Just because you may trust your child doesn’t mean they will not make mistakes. Posting personal information online can be a huge mistake.
Parents, you teach your kids not to talk to strangers, well, they are doing it most every day. Yes, most of them probably are other kids but not all. The basic rules about strangers should apply to online stranger just as it does with meeting strangers in the local mall.
Parents, by establishing some very basic Internet rules you can help prevent your family from being victimized online. Here are 5 tips to help your family stay safe online.
1. Talk to your online kids about the basic dangers of talking with people they have not met.
2. Set rules on who you will allow them to accept as a friend.
3. An Internet friend is not necessarily a true friend unless they have met them or better yet unless the parent has met them.
4. Teach your Internet kids not to give out personal information.
5. Install monitoringblocking software