2006-09-26 13:58:45 · 36 answers · asked by bossy 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
let me just say that one of my sweetest students, super quiet, tremendously hard working and rather shy has a my space page. She is the kind of girl who is very pretty but has absolutely no idea, she just watches every one else and thinks every one else is so interesting.
I suspect that her parents don't know about her page because they wouldn't allow it. (I know are very involved as I worked with them when I taught her in the classroom and tutored her for quite some time)
Oh.. what is it that is so surprising? IHer page is entitled "let me be your dirty little secret"
What I'm saying is that once they are accustomed to it they feel free to invent themselves. I'm certain you would supervise, but what is to say that they don't create one without your knowledge later on? (this happened to my sister's kid)
The point I'm making is that they aren't going to make any real friends there and the potential for danger is extremely high. Would you let them stand outside on a street corner and introduce themselves to people that pass by in hopes of making friends?
It doesn't further their existing friendships either. they need to have face to face conversation. the forum only allows for gossip and bullying and I don't think our kids should be exposed to any additional pressure.
I hope you decide not to allow it... I know it may make you unpopular but most of the best parents know that the right thing is usually the hard choice to make.
best of luck
2006-09-26 14:07:40 · answer #1 · answered by artful dodger 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, first I'd like to say Thank You! for actually worrying about what your children might find on the Internet. Too many parents don't check. Some friends of mine caught their 12 year old daughter making plans to run away with a 24 year old pedo, the messages and stuff he left for her were horrible, but no one caught what was happening for almost two months. At least they noticed what was going on before she actually ran.
At any rate, it's up to you whether or not you let them on Myspace, If they are fairly mature for their ages, then I don't see the harm. I recommend you make sure you have their password and whatnot. Check every few days at random times, to make sure, and keep an eye on their friends. Also if you allow them on the Internet for long periods of times, then check cookies and Internet history periodically. While I wouldn't worry about an occasional porn site or two, particularly if they are boys, you should keep an eye on what forums and message boards they are posting in.
2006-09-26 16:13:30 · answer #2 · answered by Shaman B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am 19 years old and I use myspace a lot...but although it really helps for me to keep in touch with old high school friends and such, it can cause problems too. obviously, you probably already know what has been in the news about the bad views on myspace: kids being lured to meet sexual predators that they dont expect and so forth. i also have had a few problems with people saying rude things to me over the two years i have had myspace. I actually am in the process of deleting it to avoid all the drama/stress having it causes for me-but that is JUST me. you are able to block people you dont want to talk to, add the people you would like to your list, and make your profile private so people who are not on your list cannot view it. myspace does require kids to be 14 years old to use this site, but anyone can lie, and i have seen a few people on myspace site their age as under 14 and they are still listed?! i wrote an article for my school newspaper about this subject, and it is very controversial. i think you should let your kids use it, but sparingly and supervise them just enough - not too much...if that even makes sense...just dont be over-bearing to them about it or they are going to go on it and do it anyways. i wish you luck with this situation, and if you need any info concerning myspace, i would be more than glad to scan in my old article and send it to you. good luck!
2006-09-26 14:11:21 · answer #3 · answered by *mommy to two* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Myspace is for 14+ firstoff. Second, most of the users are between 16 and 21ish. We dont want a bunch of 12 and 13 year olds bogging down the site. They WILL get deleted, and they MIGHT get in SERIOUS trouble. Keep them off until 14.
2006-09-27 14:11:33 · answer #4 · answered by trainboy765 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Myspace......what a great thing it is....if you are out of high school and are trying to reconnect with your friends. but if you are still in school you can talk to friends AT school you dont need a myspace. yes you can set their profile to private and you can report inappropriate pictures but you cant control who is their friend or what goes on. they can keep things from you....its up to you as a parent but be careful...i have seen younger girls on there in there underwear. and that is just asking for trouble plus you can find all the Drug Connections on there as i heard on our local tv of the kids using it for that around here. besides, that is a child predators dream. you can put any pic on there and decide your age and location and it is just not safe.
2006-09-27 07:33:52 · answer #5 · answered by Jessica 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would NOT let my child on myspace. go look 4 yourself. There IS plenty of nudity, cursing, chat rooms, all kinda of things on that site. Your children will have access to millions of people and vice versa. If i were you I would sign up 4 yourself, and really take time to browse the site. There is so much to get into on there when it is hard enough keeping kids out of trouble as is. ANyone can look up your child. Find out in what area they live, what school, etc. I think maybe 16 and up, and even then you would be shocked at the number of children on the site in lewd positions and making very sexually suggestive comments about themselves. I would strongly advise against it
2006-09-26 14:08:39 · answer #6 · answered by success 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
At twelve and thirteen no. But at 15 and 16 yes. Why? because myspace has alot of content on it you might not find suitable for your 12 or 13 year old at this time and at 15 and 16 they'll be alot more mature in handling that kind of content.
2006-09-26 14:03:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well if you don't want them on myspace don't let them on myspace. A lot of crazy people are on there.
But if you want to give them a little freedom you could moniter their sites. Block their sites and before they add friends check out their friends first.
2006-09-26 16:48:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a huge question and many different answers i would say maybe i think thats a little young that's why there the age only goes up to 14 because thats the age limit. It can be bad if they discover the ladies who choose to do adult things on there but if she just talks to her friends from school then i guess it would be alright.
2006-09-26 16:33:29 · answer #9 · answered by charmed_is_me0618 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it were me, I would not. A lot of people say that they would as long as you supervise them and they say it is a good way to talk to thier friends. If that is the case, let them have a messenger account, My daughter has a messenger account and she is nine. With her account, no one can send her a message unless they are already on her list. She is unable to delete nor add people to her account with my pw. I feel safer that way. But with all the things happeing with young people on My space, I wouldn't trust it. There are other things you can put your children in onine than that adult site.
2006-09-26 14:22:04 · answer #10 · answered by btjuana 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋