"[Social] networking sites allow teens to find new friends and to build positive relationships while they develop communication skills....[but] sometimes such sites are seedbeds for cyberbullying, cyberscams, and cyberstalking" (http://tinyurlcom/5vwkg).
Social networking web sites such as MySpace and Facebook are becoming more and more popular among teenagers. These sites allow users to post profiles, share photos, write blogs, and send instant messages throughout an "online community". Teenagers are often unaware of the risks associated with the internet and may be more inclined to post personal information online.
Teachers, teenagers, and parents need to be aware of the resources available to them that are intended to make the internet a safer place for everyone. CyberSmart.org, WiredSafety.org, and SafeTeens.com are just a few of the sites dedicated to promoting online safety.
The internet influences us every time we hit connect. Advertisements, news stories, email, social networking; all of these things impact our lives on a daily basis. Online safety is an important issue in today's world. I reviewed the sites mentioned above, and I was surprised by the abundance of information out there concerning online safety. There are so many resources available to parents, teachers, and teenagers; it is a wonder so few people take advantage of them.
References
Pack, Thomas. (2006, April). Keeping Cyberteens Safe.
Link-Up Digital. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from
http://tinyurl.com/5vwkvg
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