Can MySpace and Facebook Help Your Child?

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Posted: 9:32 PM Apr 26, 2008
Last Updated: 9:32 PM Apr 26, 2008
Reporter: Sam Provenzano
Email Address: sam.provenzano@wbko.com

4 comments

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Many parents are worried about their child signing on to websites like MySpace or Facebook, but they'll be happy to know there's actually some good that can come from these sites.

It turns out that by making friends online it can raise the self esteem of a child when their offline.

If a shy teen see's they can make friends on the web, they can get the confidence to make friends at school too!

According to new research, MySpace gives adolescents a safe place to express their feelings.

Sometimes it can be hard for someone to do that in person, but with MySpace kids feel more comfortable being themselves.

Do you think social networking sites can be beneficial for teens and younger children?

Let me know! Email me at sam.provenzano@wbko.com or leave a comment below the story.

And there's a new dating site out there geared toward smart people!

That's right, "intelligentpeople.com" is the newest dating site out there--and if you want to be a member you must pass an IQ test first!

Here's some advice: If you do meet someone from this website, make sure you don't say anything dumb on the date--you might be accused of cheating on that IQ test!

What do you think of this new dating site? Would you join something like this?

Let me know!

Email me at sam.provenzano@wbko.com or leave a comment below the story.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Dorian Location: Modesto on Apr 24, 2009 at 06:05 AM
Agree. MySpace has a place to enter which High School kids attend, and then they also have a default picture - often trying to "look grown" and "sexy" … so now the preditor knows which school they attend and has their photo! Target! As for me, I don’t allow my children to have My Space or any other social networking accounts at all. I constantly struggle with the balance of watching out for my kids when they go online. I even istalled internet filter Ez Internet Timer http://www.internettimer.net It helps me control Internet usage for my kids. So no, as long as I personally am responsible for what my children do.

Posted by: Sharon Location: Morgantown on Apr 27, 2008 at 02:21 PM
I gave this article to my two teens...I think MySpace and Facebook CAN be helpful--both my teens are a bit shy, but put them behind a computer....they can talk for hours---and recently they have become more outgoing as well because of the social networking world. I do worry about them being bullied online though........an article about that could speak volumes.

Posted by: Patrick Location: Bowling Green on Apr 27, 2008 at 11:07 AM
I think the social networking sites CAN be good for teens and even pre-teen kids. Most of their friends are probably using these sites, so they want to be on them too. Kids can meet other kids that they did not know before. Even kids that go to their own school...it gives them a chance to branch out a little. The drawback is that when parents do not monitor their kids' activities. Kids can easily be drawn out of the social networks into real life danger. It should always be the parent's decision to allow or not allow social networking. If you choose to allow them to join a social network, you better take the responsibility to monitor your children's activities. I think it's also important to add that I know of at least two of my seventeen year old daughter's friends that have social networking profiles that their parents do not know about.

Posted by: Sheryl Location: Munfordville on Apr 26, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Sorry but MY SPACE is not a "safe place". Children need to express themselves properly! Not in a world where you do not really know who the people are, names ages and gender Talk to your kids, spend time with them and buy them an old fashioned diary to write in. Do NOT snoop unless you fear your child is in serious danger. Just watch the news and see how many runaways there are that involve myspace or facebook! Then there have been the attacks and even suicides related to myspace. As a mom of 8 my space, facebook and even online chats are prohibited (for adults and children). IF you let your children online have the computer in the kitchen or living room. Mom and dad are to have all passwords, to every account, no exceptions. Make an "emails are not private rule". Finally check your history regularly. Parents also need to be careful of cell phones, especially those that can send and receive photos. children are sending and/or receiving photos that will haunt them someday

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