Social Networking Sites?

Hey, my little brother who is 11 keeps going on about social networking sites like bebo. He really wants it and most of his friends have it ; i have heard they are dangerous is this true?





do you think i should allow him to have it?





reply please thanks (:

Social Networking Sites?
The government has some suggestions about how to help protect children while spending time on social networking sites:





- Help your kids understand what information should be private.


- Use privacy settings to restrict who can access and post on your child's website.


- Explain that kids should post only information that you — and they — are comfortable with others seeing.


- Remind your kids that once they post information online, they can't take it back.


- Know how your kids are getting online.


- Talk to your kids about bullying.


- Talk to your kids about avoiding sex talk online.


- Tell your kids to trust their gut if they have suspicions.


- Read sites’ privacy policies.


- Go where your kids go online.


- Review your child’s friends list.





(see the link in the source for more detail on all these - it's aimed toward parents, though)





Whether each of these are appropriate in your situation is up to you to figure out. Personally, I think you won't be able to prevent children from using any particular web site; they can always go to a library, school, or friend's house, or possibly use their cell phone to get onto the Internet. The question is, will they feel comfortable talking to someone, including siblings or parents, about those sites in the event that they are being bullied or are concerned about someone that's been talking to them? If your brother is afraid you'll yell at him for using a social networking site when you (or your parents) told him not to, he might not talk to you when he has questions about what's safe to do on them.
Reply:They can only be dangerous if he gives out too much information. He should only talk to people he knows, keep his identity a secret, and know that he should never meet anyone he does not know.
Reply:http://www.onguardonline.gov/socialnetwo...