Social Networking: MySpace, Friendster, Facebook...and your Privacy

A social networking website is one that helps you build and maintain networks with people who share your interests. Because of the social nature of these sites, many children and their parents are becoming members and maintaining on their own web space to keep in touch with friends and family and make new friends. They can include blogs, chatrooms and bulletin boards/discussion forums. Some examples include MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, and companies like MSN often offer their own web spaces for their users to populate with content.

By posting personal information, you're allowing it to be viewable by anyone, including strangers, prospective employers, law enformcement agencies and possibly online predators. So be careful what you share with others, including what you type and the type of pictures you post . Your posted information (including your shared information as well as your online activities) may be viewed, used or disclosed in ways that you might not be able to forsee.

The following tips can help you choose which site your family will use to maintain their social networks:

• Read the privavy statements and policies before you register.
  
• Ask whether the site allows you to join a closed network where email addresses of users are verified as part of a legitimate organization?
• Ask if you are allowed to block certain information (you might need it to register, but you don't have to display it on your page)?
• Ask if your profile be viewed only with your consent? Or can all registered users see it?
• Ask if your profile, or personal information (like your address or phone number) will be accessible to users or third parties?
• Ask whether other users are able to monitor your online activities?
• Check if you are able to flag or report inappropriate posts or profiles.