What is Your Child Doing on Myspace? Why You Should Know

Does your child have a Myspace page (are you sure)? Do you know what is on that page? Do you check their Myspace profile regularly? Or just here and there? Have you taken the time to sit down and look at what your child is posting on Myspace?

This is not about trust. This is not about maturity. This is about a parent being responsible and knowing what their child is doing, via a medium that they provide. Myspace requires a person be at least 14 years old to sign up. But they do not require proof of age; they take your word for it. Social networking sites usually do not require proof of age because most people would simply find another place, rather than provide that proof. So responsibility for being truthful lies with the person signing up.

Some parents are aware their children have Myspace accounts and think it harmless fun. Many parents don't bother to check and see what their children post on Myspace, as is evident from so many teen profiles being filled with suggestive photos and sexual comments. The Myspace network is not a babysitter and cannot be expected to screen every comment and every photo. That's where the parent comes in. Parents must get involved in their child's online activities.

I have a private Myspace profile to keep in touch with friends. Recently a friend's 16 year old daughter added me. I accepted her as my friend feeling that her Myspace would be monitored heavily by her parents. When I viewed her profile I saw her entire name and most of her address posted. Her cell phone number and normal schedule were listed for the world to see as well. I won't even bother with the suggestive photos and sexual comments. I was very surprised that her parents, people I know would be shocked to the core seeing these things, have no idea what she is doing online. I viewed her friends list and found several 'friends' profiles that were for children under 14. The ages were listed anywhere from 16 to 69 and most were not set to private; which means I could view profiles, pictures and comments freely.