Online Socializing:
Kids share pictures, videos, thoughts, plans, and their whereabouts with friends, family, and sometimes, the world at large. Socializing online can help kids connect with others, but it’s important to help your child learn how to navigate these spaces safely.
What can you do?
1) Remind your kids that online actions have consequences.
The words kids write and the images they post have consequences offline. Kids should post only what they’re comfortable with others seeing. Encourage your kids to think about the language they use online, and to think before posting pictures and videos,
or altering photos posted by someone else.
2) Remind kids that once they post it, they can’t take it back.
Even if they delete the information from a site, they have little control over older versions that may be
saved on other people’s devices and may circulate online.
3) Tell kids to limit what they share.
Help your kids understand what information should stay private. Tell them why it’s important
to keep some things — about themselves, family members, and friends — to themselves. Information like their street address, phone number, and family financial information is private and should stay that way.
4) Talk to your teens about avoiding sex talk online.
Teens who don’t talk about sex with strangers online are less likely to come in contact with predators.
Teens should not hesitate to ignore or block them, and trust their gut when something feels wrong.
5) Send group messages with care.
Suggest that your kids think about who needs to see their message before sending to multiple people.
6) Limit access to your kids’ profiles. Use privacy settings.
Many social networking sites, chat, and video accounts have adjustable privacy settings, so you and
your kids can restrict who has access to kids’ profiles. Talk to your kids about the importance of these settings, and your expectations for who should be allowed to view their profile.
7) Review your child’s friends list.
Suggest that your kids limit online “friends” to people they actually know. Ask about who they’re talking to online.
Source : FTC