| MySpace is huge, especially with teens
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| | rule, I recommend that any internet
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| right now. It's an easy way for them to
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| | connected computer be in an area
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| share the events of their lives with
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| | accessible to the entire family. It's not
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| their friends, make new friends and check
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| | quite as peaceful for doing homework, but
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| out what others are doing. It's fun.
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| | it does allow you to know what your teen
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| But there's also the darker side of
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| | is looking at without having to knock on
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| MySpace. You hear news stories of
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| | the bedroom door.
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| pedophiles and predators, of teens
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| | I would also suggest creating your own
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| posting inappropriate photos. It can be
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| | MySpace page and being added to the list
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| quite worrying.
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| | of your teen's friends. This can help you
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| If your teens want MySpace accounts, you
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| | to become familiar with MySpace and to
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| should set up some safety rules. There's
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| | keep an eye on what your teen is doing
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| nothing inherently dangerous, but certain
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| | there.
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| information can put your teen at somewhat
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| | Do discuss the dangers with your teen.
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| more risk.
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| | They may or may not be aware already of
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| The first rule I would recommend is to
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| | the dangers, but your job as a parent is
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| have your teen set his or her account's
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| | to ensure that they have the knowledge to
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| privacy settings. You can require that a
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| | protect themselves. Talk about potential
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| person know your teen's email address or
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| | problems and what to do about them. Tell
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| last name before they can add themselves
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| | your teen you expect to be told about
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| as a friend. The full profile can also be
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| | anyone who tries anything inappropriate,
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| limited to friends only, so that it is
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| | whether it's trying too hard to find out
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| much harder for strangers to contact your
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| | where he or she lives, bullying or sexual
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| teen.
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| | advances. There are ways to report
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| Other rules I would recommend simply as
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| | problems to MySpace or even to the
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| general internet safety rules, applying
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| | authorities if things go too far.
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| to other sites as well as MySpace. No
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| | By understanding what your teen is doing
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| posting of contact information. No
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| | on MySpace you stand a much better chance
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| posting pictures without parental
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| | of protecting him or her from the
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| approval.
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| | potential hazards. You might also get
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| You should also discuss what kinds of
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| | some great insights into what he or she
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| websites and MySpace pages your teen is
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| | really thinks. You may even enjoy MySpace
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| not allowed to visit. To enforce this
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| | for its own sake.
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