As teens embrace blogs, schools sound an alarm

Teens are among the most avid users of online journals and personal Web pages, but recent incidents at North Carolina State University and other schools should give them and their parents pause.

Nine underage students at N.C. State are facing charges of violating the school’s alcohol policy after a residential adviser visited one of their profiles on Facebook and found links to pictures of them drinking. Facebook, which lets students create and share personal profiles, is enormously popular on campuses nationwide.

Though some parents might be reassured to know that schools are keeping an eye on their children’s behavior, the case makes it clear that teens can be reckless when it comes to posting personal information online.

"In their own minds, they’re sitting in their dorm room or at home, and they have a sense of privacy–and they really don’t have it at all," said Pam Lepley, a spokeswoman for Virginia Commonwealth University, one of numerous schools that, with the advent of blogs and other such tools, are re-examining the way students use the Web.

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Parental guidance suggested

Despite efforts by schools to discipline students and train them in safe and sound Net usage, parents need to get involved. Some tips:

Be there. When you can, use the Net with your children. While you’re spending time with them, you can help them be safe online. You may also want to role-play on IM to help them practice safe behavior.

Info a no-no. Teach kids never to give their personal data, such as where they go to school or live, to people they meet online.

Meeting adjourned. Instruct kids never to plan a face-to-face meeting with an online acquaintance, and to notify you if they’re approached for a meeting. If a meeting is arranged, it should be in a public spot.

Make rules… Establish clear ground rules for family Net use. Consider signing a contract with your kids that reflects those rules.

…consider tools. Learn about parental-control tools and protective software and decide which, if any, to use.

Trusting red flags. Tell your children not to respond if they receive offensive or dangerous e-mail, chat requests or other communications, and to leave if they go to a Web site that makes them uncomfortable. Also, tell them to show you anything they receive that makes them uncomfortable.

Get help. If you’re worried that your child or any child is in danger, don’t hesitate to contact the police.

Source: http://www.Safekids.com and the Internet Education Foundation’s http://www.GetNetWise.com

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By Alorie Gilbert
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

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