Teens Online - More than MySpace - Part III

The third part in the series on Teens Online addresses: where teens go online and where they'll go next.

The primary site in use is MySpace.com - Nazareth Search. There are many others and the best list is probably the one from Wikipedia. It includes a list of social networking sites, an estimated count of users, and a brief description, visit the wikipedia listing for social networking.

To learn more about online safety and precautions you can take, visit the Internet Safety Organization site.

How to find the next "MySpace"?

• Check the Wikipedia link noted above. Unlike a print encyclopedia, Wikipedia is updated frequently, and many of its contributors are tuned-in to online developments. Wikipedia, itself is a social networking site as all content is generated and edited by users.
  
• Visit CityofCodes, it is a site that features tips on how to upgrade or hack the template to the most popular online communities. Odds are if a new group or category is added, it has caught on.
• Check the top Search Keywords. These are the most searched for terms and if they are on this list, your kids have most likely visited a number of them. My Space appears twice in the top 30.
• Use your favorite search engine and type in "Social Networking Sites" or "Teen Social Sites" and you're sure to get alot of results.

In closing, we've come a long way in learning how to protect ourselves and our family. Car and home safety is better than it has ever been and much of this can be attributed to awareness and a change of attitude. Being aware of what children do in the online world, a place that is new and mostly unfamiliar to many parents and educators, is critical to protecting them. Knowing what sites are popular and being used by your children is an important first step.

Monitoring use is also important, but how this is done is a personal choice. Some parents place computers in public places in the home, others limit time or have set content controls, and yet others have taken more intrusive steps of using keylogger software and services that provide them with records of sights visited and messages sent.

In short, like anything, understanding and awareness followed by communication will best protect your children online. I hope this series of articles was helpful. If you find any resources or tips that would help others, please post them in the comments or submit them to me at editor@newsovercoffee.com and I'll include them in future posts.