Dr. Frank Kardasz (Ed.D)

by Dr. Frank Kardasz

Recent disturbing incidents involving Internet crimes against children have been prominent in the media. In some incidents, the crimes have involved suspects and victims who met each other via Internet social networking sites. Social networking sites are places on the Internet where people can meet one another, communicate and interact.

Social networking and communication are normal parts of the human experience. The Internet has become an important venue for people to network, communicate and interact. Young people are naturally curious about themselves, about others, and about the world. The sites permit them to reach out to others from around the globe, sometimes with tragic results. 

There are many social networking sites. Some of them are listed below:

Why are the sites popular?
Many young people are curious and seeking relationships. The sites offer new experiences , information and a place to share common interests with others. 

How do the sites work?
Any computer with Internet access can be used to permit someone to join a site. Some sites require only that the registrant provide an email address and often there is no verification process to check the truthfulness of any of the information that a registrant provides. Most sites require that users abide by conditions and terms of use meant to thwart improper conduct but enforcement is often lax. Once a registrant becomes a member he or she can post personal information, images or other information depending upon the features available at the site. Unless a user chooses privacy options all the information posted may be visible to all other users of a site. Most of the  sites are free and supported by advertisers who hope users will buy products or services advertised on the sites

What are the dangers?
Those who misuse the sites may do so in many ways including:

• Luring / enticement by Internet sexual predators
• Identity theft
• Cyberbullying / harassment
• Stalking
• Fraud schemes
• Inappropriate sexual content
• Facilitation of other crimes 

Prevention
What can you do to protect yourself from those who misuse social networking sites?

Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t -

• post personal images
• post your true full name
• post your home or cellular phone number
• post your true age or date of birth
• post your true home or business address
• post your school name or the grad that you are in
• post your calendar of upcoming events or information about your future wherabouts

Do -

• discuss Internet risks with your child
• enter into a safe-computing contract with your child
• remember that every day is Halloween on the Internet
• remember that people on the Internet are not always as they first appear
• enable computer Internet filtering features if available from your Internet service
• consider installing monitoring software that will police your child's Internet activity
• know each of your child's passwords, screen names and all acount information
• put the computer in a family area of the household and do not permit private usage
• report inappropriate behavior to your Internet service provider
• report criminal behavior to the appropriate law enforcement agency including the NCMEC Cybertip line or the Internet Fraud Complaint Center
• contact your legislators and request stronger laws against Internet crime
• contact the corporations who place advertisements on the sites and let them know that their advertising is helping to support inappropriate Internet behavior.
• advise the corporations who advertise on social networking sites that you intend to boycott or discontinue using their product or services because of the behavior they are  supporting.
• visit the NCMEC Netsmartz "Blog Beware" Workshop at  http://www.netsmartz.org/news/blogbeware.htm for more information

 

Find more complete lists of social networking sites at:
http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-social-networking-websites