10 Tips When Introducing Your Child to Social Networking

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10 Tips When Introducing Your Child to Social Networking
Here are 10 must-know tips for parents that will make the social networking experience safe and enjoyable.
BY MARY KAY HOAL

DepositPhotos
Social networks don't have to be a scary thing for kids, but they should understand the dangers.

“ If you don’t get involved in steering your child in the right direction, they’ll sign themselves up without you knowing.”

You’ve likely joined Facebook because you understand that social networking can be a valuable tool to keep up with family and friends. Or perhaps you are a business professional and use Twitter and LinkedIn because of the value it brings to your business. Maybe you don’t use online social networks, but your friends do and you’ve heard them say, "Facebook me." Either case, you know that social networking is a powerful tool that influences all our lives.

When it comes to your children, these tips will help to make sure they have a safe, age-appropriate and engaging social networking experience.

1. Don’t be an Ostrich
Burying your head in the sand just won’t work. Saying things like, "I’m not going to let my child join a social network until…" isn’t the best tactic to take. If you don’t get involved in steering your child in the right direction, they’ll sign themselves up without you knowing.

2. Know the Rules
It’s against this law, under The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, for any child under the age of 13 to join social networks like Facebook or MySpace. We never teach our children to lie, so don’t let them lie to join a site.

3. Not Okay Offline Equals Not Okay Online
Mainstream social networks like Facebook are adult intended. Whether it’s the inappropriate photos that are allowed; our personal data being tracked and sold; or the illegal content that is sadly shared, the fact is we wouldn’t knowingly allow our children to be surrounded by these activities so we shouldn’t online.

4. The Sooner the Better
Don’t wait until your child says: "I want to join XYZ site." Start them out early as a member of a kid-centric site that you have researched and feel comfortable with. Social networking will be a part of your child’s life, so make sure you’re involved in helping them make a healthy choice early.

5. Set Limits
As with all our kids’ media time, it’s important to set limits on it. Make sure they have a healthy dose of outside activities before sitting down to enjoy their social media time. And when they do, set limits with their screen time.

6. Dialogue
Talk to your kids about what they are doing online, and don’t stop talking. It’s important they know you’re interested and involved.

7. Protect Your Child’s Identity
Your child’s identity and online safety is immediately at risk if they provide their first and last name, birth date, school, phone number or physical location. A website asking for this information should be a "red flag." A kids' social network that complies with privacy laws will ask for your e-mail, your child’s birth date (to determine if they are in fact 13) and a desired screen name.

8. Round out Your Family Safety Net
After you’ve set your children up with their age appropriate safety-focused social networking account, be sure to activate the rest of the safety controls across all devices and tools. For starters, safety-enable all of their devices, apply Google "SafeSearch" and switch over to YouTube’s "Safety Mode."

9. The Kids Channels Are Here!
It used to be only ABC, CBS, NBC, then along came cable where suddenly kids could enjoy programming just for them. The same has happened in social media. Networks made specifically for your children offer kid-specific activities promoting safety and privacy.

10. Have Fun with Your Kids
There’s so much exploring, creativity, education and engagement that your children will gain from their social networking experience. Be sure you sit down with your child and enjoy the experience together.

Mary Kay Hoal is a nationally recognized expert on children’s online safety. She is the founder and president of Yoursphere Media Inc., which focuses on the family and publishes the kids’ social network Yoursphere.com. Mary Kay also offers parents internet-safety information and tips at YoursphereForParents.com. She has been profiled on CNN, BBC, E!, Fox & Friends, Lifetime TV and many others. Mary Kay will appear on ABC's 20/20 as their family internet-safety expert. For more information visit www.marykayhoal.com.

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