MySpace and other social networking sites have really taken off in teen popularity and have dominated the local and national news recently. As of April 2006, MySpace is the world's fourth most popular English language website and seventh most popular in the world. It has over 72.2 million registered accounts and has become a very prevalent aspect of teen culture.

In the past, any parental concerns related to Internet use centered primarily around what was coming into the home, and how to block access to potentially offensive and inappropriate content for kids. Now, as the communication potential of the Internet surges, the larger danger seems to be too much personal information which may be going out of the home. Perry Aftab, Executive Director of wiredsafety.org has stated in a congressional hearing that the group of kids most at risk seems to be in the age range of 11-1/2 to 15, 30% boys and 70% girls.

The websites posted here share some of the digital-age dangers for teens, as well as personal accounts shared by parents and teens.

This selection of online resources is offered for further information:

Why parents must mind MySpace: Posting too much information on social networking sites may be dangerous

This January 27th NBC Dateline article includes a six-minute video clip, Your kid's cyber secret, with a great introduction to social networking sites and a summary of potential dangers, as well as steps parents can take to regain control. Presented by correspondent, Rob Stafford.

Kids, blogs and too much information: Children reveal more online than parents know

This April 29th, 2005 MSNBC article includes a graph of disclosed personal information: 50% of blog authors are teens and 61% reveal contact information. A related three-minute video clip is included, Too much information. Presented by Technology Correspondent, Bob Sullivan.

A parent learns about My Space: The Popular Web 'Hangout' for Teens Can Be Dangerous for Young People

This February 21st ABC News article with three related podcasts shares concerns about teens revealing too much information. Internet security expert, Robin Raskin, known as the "Internet Mom," states that kids are letting too much info "hang out" in cyberspace. Reported by Andrea Smith.

Teens bold blogs alarm area schools: Uninhibited online remarks full of risks officials warn

This January 17th Washington Post article reminds us that beyond the obvious danger of online predators, information posted online can be read by college admissions officers and future employers. Reported by Tara Bahrampour & Lori Aratani.

Parents discuss fears of teens' Internet use

Good Morning America spoke to three mothers and their daughters, ages 13, 15, and 16. These mothers now monitor their daughters' online activity, after finding inappropriate content on their websites. A six-minute video clip is included, Teens' Online Dangerous World.

NetSmartz Workshop

Real-life stories of interest are included, among them: 1) Julie's Journey, a three-minute video clip detailing the true story of Julie who left home with a convicted murderer she met online, and 2) Amy's Choice, the account of a 15-year-old girl who left home for a face-to-face meeting with a man she first met online.

Testing the bounds of MySpace

An LA Times journalist, Catherine Saillant, shares an account of testing the limits of MySpace with her 13-year-old daughter. Her story shares the results of their experiment, with monitoring, rules, where to draw the line - and at what age.

My Space: your kids' danger?

This is a February 6th article about actual cases in the news of predators meeting victims online, along with a video clip reporting The Dangers of My Space, with reporter Sandra Hughes. Despite The Center for Missing and Exploited Children reporting more than 1,200 incidents last year of adults using the Internet to entice children, authorities feel many parents aren't aware of their kids' MySpace profiles.

Scenes from the MySpace backlash

This February 27th article from Lycos Wired News, reported by Kevin Poulsen, recounts troubling incidents of adult MySpace users accused of preying on underage girls. Occasionally these teens have misrepresented their ages, as well.

Social networking sites go wireless: MySpace, others now accessible via cell phones, sparking parental concern

This April 7th NBC News article, mentions that MySpace is going "mobile," which will allow cell phone access for browsing and also for the posting of images and text. A two-minute video clip is included. Reported by Janet Shamlian.

What should parents know about teen Web sites?

This ABC News article shares information about Xanga, a community of online diaries and journals. Again, the concern is that parents may not know what is being posted on such pages. A short video clip is included. Reported by Erin O'Hearn.

What you should know about blogging

This information is posted by a school district in a community where Xanga use is widespread. This outlines the benefits of blogging, the dangers of blogging, and measures parents can take.

Web Warning Home | Social Networking Sites | Proactive Parenting Resources