my daughter and her myspace.

[dennig]

I am a single mom at an early age and I have a daughter who is turning 15 this year. I raised her by myself and a little help from my parents though. And now, I am a little worried because my daughter is into this myspace thing and at first I was cool about it not until I've read a message from his myspace friend telling her that they should meet up somewhere around town. My daughter is this sort of spoiled and rebellious kinda of kid. Maybe I am just paranoid. I've read articles about the danger of myspace to our kids (http://www.profilepitstop.com/articles/myspace/are-your-kids-in-danger-4.php) over the net. I have talked to her about it and she did not say anything. She said I am just paranoid. Am i? Am I already overly protective of her? Should I worry on this doc?

[Mike Bradley]

Worry and monitor, yes. Forbid? No, at least not until there is reason to distrust her. These "cyber worlds" have replaced the old corner hangouts for teens, and are very important to them. So forbidding all computer contact can be tough. That said, the rule should be that since anyone in the world can access her myspace, that you will monitor it. You might also point out that since colleges and employers also research applicants' myspace sites, your daughter might understand that some adult supervision is a good idea. Tell her that you will always respect her privacy when it comes to letters, conversations and E mail, but that myspace is NOT a private conversation tool.
Good luck!

[jannie]

Dennig,

just a thought.... we have blocked my space at our home. the reason we used was all of the viruses and spybots that can infect your computer thorough a system like this.

we unblock it at home when requested so she can get on. She had to agree to give us her password so we could access it to monitor. (she can get on at friends houses)

We have had discussions concerning some of her friends who have 200 "buddies". (she has 28). We have discussed that just because you know someone who knows them doesn't mean YOU know them. And that person may have picked them up from another buddy and not really know them either. she had friends who lie about their age on my space. I point out that anyone can lie and that cute 15 yr old may have a bogus pic and really be 35!

she acted like she wasn't listening and we were just being "parents" (complete with eyeroll) , but I know she was because she asked last night if she could change her picture, with our approval. Of course she was told YES and how proud we were of her for asking first.

so keep talking and monitoring