Age and safety of Social Networking usage for kids

Age and safety of Social Networking usage for kids
Age and safety of Social Networking usage for kids | Kids in the House
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Age and safety of Social Networking usage for kids

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Social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace have age requirements. According to a federal law called COPPA, which is the Child Online Privacy Protection Act, kids under the age of 13 are not allowed to use these social networking environments. So first, we need to make sure that they are of age. Then we need to make sure that they're responsible enough to know how to use these social networking sites appropriately. You, as a parent, should be setting up rules and guidelines about with whom they can talk and what kind of information they can post. Are they allowed to put up pictures? And if so, what kinds of pictures can they post? Are they allowed to have 200 friends or is it better if they only keep it to a small network of people that you as the parent approve of? Once they agree to these rules, then they're allowed to go ahead and start using it. But maybe not on their own. There is parental control software out there such as Minor Monitor and Parental Guidance that allows you to get a report of the things that your children are talking about online. These reports will not give you every single detail about what your kids are talking about; there is some semblance of privacy. However, when your child breaks a rule, meaning they add a new friend without permission or they upload a picture without permission, it's going to notify you as a parent as to what they are doing online.

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Expert Bio

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Lori Getz, M.A.

Technology Expert

Since 2004 Lori has worked as an Instructional Technologist in Los Angeles, CA. She has a Master of Arts in Educational Technology from San Diego State University and is certified by isafe.org as an Internet Safety Specialist. In September 2008 Lori founded Cyber Education Consultants and began speaking to students, parents, and educators about Internet safety, security and ethics.  Since that time Lori has reached out to Internet users across the world!  Her mission is simple- to help bridge the gap between a young generation of digital natives and their parents and teachers. 

Today, Cyber Education Consultants provides workshops, professional development and consulting services to more than 100 schools across the country.

Lori is an educator, mother, and Internet safety expert.  She has appeared on the "Dr. Phil Show," "Today," "HLN," “Dr. Drew” and several other local news and radio programs (including the Ryan Seacrest show on KIIS FM).  She often lectures live, speaking to parents, teachers and students. Lori has been published in several areas including as an online expert for momlogic.com and kidsinthehouse.org.  Most recently was featured in Rachel Simmons’ new edition of “Odd Girl Out” and Lucie Hemmen’s, Ph.D “Parenting a Teen Girl.” She is currently working with the “I Have a Plan” series to develop a children’s book on online safety.  Her insight comes from both her professional and personal life working with children, tweens and teens.  

 

More Parenting Videos from Lori Getz, M.A. >