Top 3 Blunders Your Kids Are Probably Making On Facebook Right Now

Disclaimer: I know the conclusion I come to in this article is a subject that many people disagree on.  I also understand that many of my own readers may vehemently disagree with me on the issue.  Believe it or not, I’m OK with that.  I’m even OK if you want to discuss it in the comments.  All I ask is that you keep it civil, on subject, and absent of vulgarity.  Actually, these are good rules to follow if you want your comments accepted anywhere on this site.

I am not a parent nor do I pretend to be an expert on the subject of parenting. I do however know a bit about computers, the Internet and yes even Facebook.  You have to realize that there are real dangers in the online world and what I have seen first hand is a lack of understanding these dangers on the part of quite a few youngsters and perhaps even their parents.

What I would like to share with you in this post are several safety blunders I have personally seen children and teens make on Facebook.

1.  Young people are being irresponsible about who they choose as friends.

Do me a favor and ask a teen if they know all of the people who happen to be their friends on Facebook.  I’ve asked a few and almost every one of them gave me the same answer.  If you know anything about staying safe online, you know you ought to know your friends in social networks.  Many young people don’t see the danger of not following this rule of thumb and often befriend people they don’t know, whether they are friends of friends or total strangers altogether.  That’s danger one: befriending strangers.

There is also the danger of befriending bad friends. OK, let me have it.  ”My kids would never make bad friends.”  Or “My kids should have the freedom to make their own choices.”  I’ve heard them both.  I am of the belief that while they are under your roof and you are responsible for their actions, you’d better be concerned about who your kids are hanging out with.  As they are growing you need to be INTIMATELY involved in directing them in their choices.  Oh, and yes, your kids do make mistakes.  Just so you know

2.  Young people are being irresponsible with personal information.

I constantly see young people sharing personal information on Facebook.  I can’t tell you how many cell phone numbers I’ve seen pass by my stream of updates.  I’ve even seen addresses shared, right there as a public status update.  This, especially coupled with the first mistake on this list, could have all kinds of dangerous implications.

By the way, they’re not only sharing their own personal information, but other people’s too.  Sounds weird but I’ve seen it.

The rule here is, even if you are careful with who you choose to befriend, you must also share information as if the whole world can see it.  This means being extremely cautious as to what personal information you share.

3.  Young people are being irresponsible in how they communicate.

Have you taught your children how to communicate with others?  Good.  Take a look at how they interact with other people online for the whole world to see.  What kind of language do they use (including those acronyms)?  Are they abusive with their online speech?  Are they being abused by others?  Who are they talking about behind the back?  If you aren’t concerned, you ought to be.

You might be saying to yourself, “But I am one of their friends on there so I can see what they are saying.”  Don’t be fooled.  Facebook has given users so much flexibility in how they share information.  They can actually set an update so that certain people can be blocked from seeing it.  This means that you can see everything that is said except these messages.

My point is simple.

While you are responsible for your children, you need to be more involved in their online lives.  As difficult as it may turn out to be, this means you need full access to their Facebook accounts.  You should have a relationship where they know you have access and that it is because you love them.

It is with this conclusion that many people will probably argue. “Shouldn’t you trust your own kids?”  Well, yes and no.  You need to be responsible for them.  ”Don’t my kids have the right to their privacy?”  Not while you are responsible for their actions.  It’s your job to keep them safe from harm and to train them up into the adults of the future.  Feel free to give them the freedom of a Facebook account but only if you are ready to take responsibility for them.

That’s my take on the subject.  What say you?