Social Networking Sites: Teen Security

We look for safety and security in all that we do and insurance is proof of it. Somehow we tend to assume that we are all safe online as long as nobody else lays their hands on our passwords. Another common assumption that we make is that the person at the other end is genuine and our children know how to take care of themselves online. It is a world we can’t see; so how safe are we, virtually?

Social networking websites are the most recent drift on the internet and have kids and adults alike hooked on to it. However like any other application on the internet such as chat and dating websites, there are all kinds of people logged on looking to take advantage of your ignorance. Social networking sites allow strangers to chat, message and in some cases access all user profiles on the website. One needs to be careful about how we handle our profile information.

Keep your private data private – profiles are open spaces: Be vigilant about the information you post on your profile. Avoid posting private information such as phone number, address and IM information. Post information that you would not mind if the entire world knew about. Do not post specific information that may suggest your whereabouts and aid even a stranger in finding you.
Be wary of strangers on the websites. People do not usually divulge actual information about themselves online. It is possible that they paint a completely different picture to lure you into meeting them. Make sure you meet strangers you met through a networking website in a public place and inform an adult before doing so.
Stay away from posting information on your profile that you may get discomfited by if any particular person saw it. Stay clear from posting obscene or revealing pictures on your profile that may attract negative attention to your profile. Remember that your profile may be accessed by your parents and teachers also.
Do not lie about your age on any social networking website. If you are under 18 or over 18 it is best to not mislead the website. You may be barred from using the networking site if found feigning your age.
It is always a good idea to tune your account setting in such a way that only friends can view your profile. It also pays to be cautious about accepting requests from strangers to be added to your friend list.
Always report harassment, vulgarity, abusive content and hate speech as soon as you encounter it. Such reports are held confidential by the website and not divulged to the offender.
Unknown mails, links from external sites claiming to offer goodie must be shunned at all times. These mails attempt to get you to enter your site id and password so that they may know it and use it to harm your profile and also gather personal information about you from your profile.

It is fun to be a part of such a vibrant and fun networking culture. One just needs to keep his eyes open to lurker and hackers and avoid trusting strangers however sweet they may appear to be. Parents may also monitor their teen’s networking account and many websites including MySpace have provisions to do so.