Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace...What?

Tips for Parents - Talking to Your Teens About Social Networking

NEW YORK, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- MS -- It's no secret young people growing up
today are more technologically advanced than older generations like the Baby
Boomers. In those days, communicating with friends was done primarily by
talking on the telephone, writing a note or speaking face-to-face. There was
no e-mailing, text messaging, IM'ing (instant messaging) or posting comments
on each other's personal Web pages.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090601/NY24516 )

In schools today, instead of just passing notes, students can send text
messages on their cell phones and communicate online with their bff (best
friends forever) or with people they don't know, and this makes it difficult
for parents to monitor their child's online activities. In addition to
e-mailing and text messaging, communicating via social networking sites is
becoming more common for both older and younger generations. In fact, in
January 2009 Facebook alone reported that they had 150 million active users.
In addition, according to Common Sense Media, 55 percent of teens have an
online profile on social networking sites like Facebook or MySpace.

"Social networking sites can be great resources for staying in contact with
people, reconnecting with old friends, meeting people with common interests,
and getting questions answered, but unfortunately not everyone who uses the
Internet and social networking sites has honest intentions," said Jay
Opperman, Senior Director of Security and Privacy at Comcast.

What does this all mean? It means that parents should: 1) become familiar with
online social networks like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and MySpace; and 2)
talk to your children about the importance of being safe and smart while
communicating online.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when talking to your teens about the
Internet and social networks:

TIP 1 -- Choose your pictures wisely: Pictures can say a thousand words. If
you decide to post a picture of yourself online, be very cautious about what
you post.

"Do not use a picture that will embarrass you five years down the road because
even if you delete the picture, it will never go away. What goes online, stays
online," said Opperman. "Think about these questions: If I post this picture,
could it prevent me from getting a scholarship or a job in the future? What if
the person or persons I share my picture with, shares it with others?"

TIP 2 -- Don't talk to strangers and use privacy settings: Sometimes people
aren't always who they say they are and the Internet provides an additional
means of being anonymous. Remember, everyone in the world doesn't have your
best interests at heart and some people are looking to prey on children and
teens online. Social networking sites have privacy settings so you can control
who can see your personal page. The settings can't protect you 100 percent,
but they are helpful so make sure you set up a privacy setting so only your
friends can see your page.

TIP 3 -- Keep your personal information personal: Don't share personal
information such as your last name, parents' or siblings' names, phone number,
address, social security number or where you like to hang out. People with
dishonest intentions can use this information to find you or steal your
identity.

TIP 4 -- Don't be a cyberbully: Don't bully people online or in person. You
wouldn't appreciate a schoolmate or even a stranger posting embarrassing or
harassing information about you or threatening you online so don't do that to
someone else. Online, this is called cyberbullying, and now more and more
states are passing anti-cyberbullying laws.

TIP 5 -- Go outside and stay active: Technology is fascinating and it keeps us
connected in so many ways, but don't let the Internet disconnect you from
other things that are important in life. Spend time with family and friends in
person. Walk the dog, learn how to play an instrument, get involved in sports
and other extracurricular after-school activities. Real life connections with
family, friends and those most important to you should be one of your top
priorities.

For more Internet safety tips and resources visit www.comcast.net/security.

SOURCE Comcast Security

Metro Editorial Services for Comcast Security, +1-800-223-1600