I'm really bad at reading details. I'm a skimmer and that's burned me more than a few times in my life. Last week I was suppose to post on Stalking Prevention for the Tell Me When Blog Hop, to celebrate Stina Lindenblatt's new book. But I thought I was suppose to today, because today is when her book comes out.
So, better late than never:
When I was a teenager, we used to drive by the boys houses that we liked. We'd wonder if they were home, freak out if we saw them, and behave like giggly teenage girls, and then something happened that made me stop doing that. I saw a boy drive by my house. It was kind of creepy, and I realized what I was doing was just as creepy.
Although I suspect kids don't drive by each other's houses anymore, now they do it virtually.
Now I'm a parent of a girl who is about to be a teenager, which is scary as hell, especially when it comes to an online presence. I make sure I keep careful tabs on her facebook account. My kids are not allowed to have facebook unless I know they're passwords.
As parents it's our responsibility to monitor what our kids are doing online. Kids will always take risks. Studies reveal that 46% of teens surveyed would change their online behaviour if they knew their parents paid attention.
If you don't keep track of what's happening of your child's cyber life then you open them up to all kids of problems. Make sure nothing personal about them is posted, no school names, town they live in, email addresses.
In this day and age, parents need to be vigilant.
Make sure you check out Stina's book, Tell Me When, a NA story about a college freshman who struggles with the aftermath of being stalked and kidnapped during her senior year of high school.
7 comments:
This sounds like an interesting book. My daughter just turned 12, and we are navigating all kinds of new waters with social media and middle school in general. It is scary being a mom of a girl that age!
I'm a skimmer. *sigh* So I know where you come from, pal. Stina's book looks great. I'm so happy for her. I'll buy it in Feb. I already used my book allowance for Jan.
Her book is very important too. Most parents do not even begin to understand the dangers out there.
I need a book allowance. Then my TBR pile would be so out of control!!!!
Thanks, Patti! Fortunately my kids aren't on FB, but I still worry about what else they're up to.
Ah technology is a great thing but the potential for such abuse is huge.
A bit late I know Patti but may I wish you and yours the best in 2014.
Absolutely. Good for you, for being a CARING parent and watching your kids' online behavior. These days, it's really crucial.
It sounds so good! I need to put it on my tbr pile!
There is so much technology now. It's a ton to tell my kids, but well worth it.
Stina's book sounds very interesting. It will have to go on my tbr pile. ;)
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