I've just finished reading "Me, MySpace, and I," by Larry D. Rosen. It suggests that parents open an account on MySpace because there are many areas on the website that you can't access unless you're logged in.
Many websites require users to provide a real name and real address when you open an account. This is particularly true of commerce sites like Amazon.com. So I was not alarmed when MySpace asked for my real name and town, "so other members can search for you." It assured me that it wouldn't display my name, but I cautiously provided a bogus name, anyway.
When I finished entering the required information, it showed me the profile page that it created for me. And there was the bogus name and town displayed in nice bold type. Thanks for preserving my anonymity, MySpace.
Well, anyway, I'm there now, and no harm was done to me.
Some things from the book I thought worth mentioning. This quote, for example:
"Some MySpace young people have told me that they like to pretend to be dumb just to see what other people do and say. One guy got a date with a girl by pretending to be a "C" student and when she met him and found out he was a "brain" she canceled the date."
- page 70
Check out http://www.ypulse.com for trends in the lives of tweens, teens and young adults.
Other resources:
http://www.isafe.org
http://www.parenthood.com
http://www.allianceforchildhood.net
http://www.kids.getnetwise.org
http://www.cybersmart.org
http://www.netsmartz.org
http://www.besafe.com
http://www.protectkids.com
http://www.webwisekids.com
http://www.internetbehavior.com
http://www.safeteens.com
http://www.blogsafely.com
http://www.commonsensemedia.com
http://www.safefamilies.org
http://www.wiredsafety.org
http://www.netfamilynews.com https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/privacyhub/guide-to-sharenting/
2025-07-07 LG Add link to www.cyberghostvpn.com and target="_blank" param to a tags
1 comment:
A reader commented via email:
I love sharing my children’s milestones and cute pictures, but I never considered the hidden dangers of those “harmless” posts. That changed when I read this:
https://www.cyberghostvpn.com/privacyhub/guide-to-sharenting/
Turns out those “adorable” photos can be tracked, copied, or even used for identity theft or by predators.
As a parent, it was a wake-up call. I immediately changed my settings, deleted old albums, and set clear rules about what stays private. It might be something other moms and dads on ludditegeek.blogspot.com/2008/05/myspace-notes.html would appreciate this guide too, if you add it as a resource, just in case it helps them make safer choices for their families. What do you think?
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