As a Current/Future Parent, how would you react if your child had a MySpace site without your approval?

Question

As a current or future parent, how would you react if your child or children had a MySpace site when you prohibited them from being a part of the MySpace network?

Answer 1

I would definetly cut them off from the computer for a while as punishment. Then when you do allow them back on I would get a program called spectorpro it is an excellant program which lets you monitor actual convo's. People will say it is an invasion of privacy. But, today it is the only way you can protect your children on the web. Some would ssay you should trust your child but there are so many predetors on the computer. Your kid needs to be protected and your child may not even realize they are talking to a prediator.

Answer 2

My daughter wouldn't have had a MySpace account without my approval...She didn't have a computer in her bedroom until she was 17 and purchased her own. There is actually nothing wrong with the MySpace site as long as parents monitor what their children are doing on it. My 14 year old niece has a MySpace account, her profile is set to "private" and only people on her friends list can access it...and they can only get on her friends list if SHE invites them. The problem isn't with MYSpace...it is with parents who refuse to do their jobs as parents and MONITOR their children's time on the internet. They allow their kids to have the computers in the bedrooms rather than in a place where the parent has access to what the child does on the computer. When my daughter first started on the ineternet at age 11 there were no "parental controls" no "net nannies" I supervised her one hour a day on the net (yeah her time on it was limited) and the internet connection was password protected and I changed the password every morning. We never had any problems arise. I will also add that I too have a MySpace account...never have had any problems and I have a public profile.

Answer 3

I have to agree that the internet is a privelege. My son is 11 and still is not allowed anywhere near MySpace. We have stressed in great detail that there are people on the other side of the computer just waiting for kids to sign on so that they can cause despicable trouble - and I think we all know what I mean. I can't talk about that because I get physically ill.

If he did something of that nature, I have to wonder if breathing wouldn't be a privelege for a while. And before I get flamed in criticism, no, I'm not a strict parent. I am probably the worst disciplinarian ever. But when it comes to safety, I tend to turn into a barracuda over such matters, and MySpace is something that can lead to unsafe practices.

Answer 4

My son is 16 & has a myspace page. He mostly uses the computer at his Dad's (my ex's) house for this b/c our computer is in the living room & there are always people around here - his Dad is never home. My son's space is private, however, and only friends can view his page. I do respect his privacy, I believe I've done what I can to teach him safety, responsibility, and I have to trust him. I know how I felt when my parents read my diary or searched my room as a teen - so I don't invade my son's privacy unless I have a serious concern. If I was concerned, I would pull out all stops to invade his privacy & do whatever I felt I needed to do as a responsible parent.

Answer 5

one of my children (16) is allowed and we have the password so we may monitor and remove any conent. our other child (9) is too young and prohibited from visiting any non approved websites. we do monitor all computers and trace history and have them networked so we can jump on any time and shadow their usage.

IF the NINE year old gets onto MySpace as she is not allowed to and opened a profile, she would lose computer priviledges altogether for 60 days and the MySpace would be removed (each child has their own login and the computers are not allowed in private bedrooms, only public parts of our home).

Answer 6

I suppose it would depend on how they made their page. Do you approve of it? Is it sexual? Is it appropriate? I would defintaly have them go into their account settings and have it set to private so that they can only let people view their page that they know.

The fact that you didn't want them to be apart of the site and they joined anyway has to be addressed. You probably should take the computer away for a week or more whatever you feel comfortable with. The thing is, if they want to have an account, they are going to do it whether you approve or not. They will just do it behind your back.

You might want to make a compromise and let them have the page but you have to approve what they have on it. Also they have to agree that it should be set to private.

I am a stay at home mom in my 30's and I have a myspace page just for fun. All of my stay at home mom friends have one to. We just set it to private and only add people we know to the site.

Myspace really is the latest trend for teenagers and keeping your teen from doing what all of his/her peers are doing could be hard and make them resent you. It might be better for you to educate them on internet predators and how they can avoid the dangers of the internet.

Answer 7

If my daughter wanted a myspace, she would have to make a good case for the reasons that she wanted it. If I decided that her reasons were innocent and reasonable enough, I would let her, within limits. I would have strict security on my computer, and she could only use it in my presence. I would have a major talk about the risk of internet predators, and how to spot them. She would also have to give me her password and be subject to periodic checks. If she refuses to comply, then she doesnt deserve the privelege. Myspace is a form of entertainment, and as a 21 year old mom, I have one of my own, just to stay in contact and share pics and updates with friends and family that i dont always get to see. I can understand the fun of it, but if my daughter was old enough to want one, it would be with limits. If she did it behind my back, her computer priveleges would be completely revoked, and she would be grounded from the telephone and going out for an appropriate period of time. Remember, myspace is a trendy thing. Lots of kids have them, but you have to make sure your child is mature enough to not fall victim to a predator. Raise them to be wise and watchful. You cant always protect them from everything, but you can help prepare them for anything.

Answer 8

this is tough.....

myspace can be very bad if you dont monitor it. Either way he/she is going to have one. They will find ways to logon, so you might as well give in a little but monitor it.

make sure it is always kept in a private setting. Ask them for the password and if they dont give it to you then you know they have something to hide. Or if you want to respect there privacy then make your own page.

My nephews have a sight and I am their "cool young aunt" and I have them as my friends. I keep an eye on them this way. I know its harmless fun. This was the only way they were allowed to have a page. Was by having me as a friend. Any friend that they add that I dont recongize I let their parents know and then they do the research.

Soooo its up to you, either you allow it or they will do it behind your back

Answer 9

I purchased the software Spectorsoft - can probably go to spectorsoft.com or do a search. I heard about it on a local radio station, and installed it on a computer my foster teen was using. He knew I was going to be purchasing it but didn't know when. It is in stealth mode and can't be detected, sends a copy of all emails, chats, and IMs to a designated email address for monitoring, and there is another program they sell that takes pictures of what is being viewed every how many seconds you want it to, so you can later check to see what was viewed on the computer. It was well worth the money. One suggestion would be to have the chat logs, etc sent to a separate email account than your main one especially if you have a chatty teen online. Hope that helps.

Answer 10

I woudl not have been doing my job as a parent then. I have a computer network at my house which is closely monitored. Every week I go through the history logs and make certain what my children are up to. As long as it will not hurt them , I am ok with it. I still need to know and do bring it up in conversation with my children from time to time. They know they are being watched by their parents.