Myspace/facebook question...

[indigo]

For those whose teenagers use it, what rules do you have about what they can post? I would guess that risque pictures would be prohibited, but what about journal stuff? If it wasn't anything personal about them or someone else, do you still have a "decency meter" (regarding content or language) that you use?

(Can you tell that I'm trying to solidify my position on one of K's postings?)

[Ali]

My main rules are no personal info (addy, phone, etc) and if you wouldn't say it to someone's face, then don't say/type it at all.

See how easy that is {pats J on head} Now go and apply that in real life. :-P

[indigo]

My main rules are no personal info (addy, phone, etc) and if you wouldn't say it to someone's face, then don't say/type it at all.

See how easy that is {pats J on head} Now go and apply that in real life. :-P

That stuff I'm cool with. Safety and kindness.

What about obscenity? And you know those quizzes that all the kids seem to pass around and do? Some of them have pretty racey content. Even if your kid's answer is "no, I've never done xyz" what about the content in the question itself?

Strange world out there....

[indigo]

Just in case anyone was wondering, we talked and the rules/compromises are:

1. Don't use the "F" word. Use other words sparingly.
2. Don't post any sexual content, even in the context of those stupid quizzes.
3. Don't say mean things about people even as a joke.
4. Remember that even though the website is set to "private" a friend can copy text or pictures and make them public.

Pretend a respected adult, a teacher at school, or the parent of a friend is reading.

ETA: In number 1, I don't mean use ALL other words sparingly. Just curse words. So she can say "shit" but only occasionally. LOL.

[webbeccjo]

J
4. Remember that even though the website is set to "private" a friend can copy text or pictures and make them public.


This is a biggie for us. I'm not positive, but I think that on facebook if someone is you friend then all of their friends can see your pics even if they are not your friends list. So I stress to rebecca that none of the pics she posts are really private.

[indigo]

This is a biggie for us. I'm not positive, but I think that on facebook if someone is you friend then all of their friends can see your pics even if they are not your friends list. So I stress to rebecca that none of the pics she posts are really private.

Interesting. I don't think that's the case on myspace. K is my friend so I can see all her stuff, but I can't see her friends' stuff.

[Sarah]

This is a biggie for us. I'm not positive, but I think that on facebook if someone is you friend then all of their friends can see your pics even if they are not your friends list. So I stress to rebecca that none of the pics she posts are really private.

Very true. Photos are really, really hard to keep secure on facebook.

[mirage1]

Just in case anyone was wondering, we talked and the rules/compromises are:

1. Don't use the "F" word. Use other words sparingly.
2. Don't post any sexual content, even in the context of those stupid quizzes.
3. Don't say mean things about people even as a joke.
4. Remember that even though the website is set to "private" a friend can copy text or pictures and make them public.

Pretend a respected adult, a teacher at school, or the parent of a friend is reading.

ETA: In number 1, I don't mean use ALL other words sparingly. Just curse words. So she can say "shit" but only occasionally. LOL.I don't think "use all words sparingly" is such a bad rule. For instance, I probably need to mediate my use of the words "so" and "actually." Maybe "for instance," too.

I think #2 is a great idea... I mean, if now she's answering them with "no, I haven't" then a few weeks from now she (heaven forbid) should happen to answer another similar quiz with "I'm not saying!" and then a few months later it is answered "Wouldn't you like to know!" then it kind of indicates there's been a change, you know what I mean?

Probably best to be the soul of discretion.

[indigo]

I don't think "use all words sparingly" is such a bad rule. For instance, I probably need to mediate my use of the words "so" and "actually." Maybe "for instance," too.

I think #2 is a great idea... I mean, if now she's answering them with "no, I haven't" then a few weeks from now she (heaven forbid) should happen to answer another similar quiz with "I'm not saying!" and then a few months later it is answered "Wouldn't you like to know!" then it kind of indicates there's been a change, you know what I mean?

Probably best to be the soul of discretion.

You've actually hit upon one of the reasons I've hesitated to tell her what not to post. EVEN THOUGH SHE FRIENDED ME she is still posting stuff that she would never talk to me about. I don't know if she assumes I don't bother to read (well, not anymore) or if she wants me to know things, but I sort of like having this little window into her mind and life.

My issue is all the other people who also have this window into her mind and life!!

[mirage1]

You've actually hit upon one of the reasons I've hesitated to tell her what not to post. EVEN THOUGH SHE FRIENDED ME she is still posting stuff that she would never talk to me about. I don't know if she assumes I don't bother to read (well, not anymore) or if she wants me to know things, but I sort of like having this little window into her mind and life.

My issue is all the other people who also have this window into her mind and life!!Yes, exactly, that would be bothersome to me, too!