|
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| Social Networking Safety |
|
| |
I see so many things that go on in the social networking world that simply baffle the mind. It is shocking to see what some folks will fall for these days. So I decided to compile a list of things to beware of while having 'fun' on a social networking site.
Please feel free to add anything you have seen or learned along the way. Some of these things may seem very obvious to many of us, but others may not seem so obvious. Many of these things are just my humble opinion, so please take them or leave them at your own discretion.
1.) Okay, so you set your profile to private. Then you accept every friend request that comes along. How private is that? :)
2.) You post pictures that you want your friends to see. But have you considered that a predator may also want to see these pictures? I tell my kids to only post photos that you wouldn't mind anyone seeing, rather than just thinking of their friends. It is simply not safe to post inappropriate pictures. Put some cloths on!!
3.) You accept friend request from anyone who asks. I used to do this, until I realized that many spammers out there will use this to their advantage. These scammers will often use your friendship to get your money. Many of these spammers will pose as "Missionaries," "Pastors" or even someone who runs an orphanage. And let's not forget that adding your mug to their page, adds credibility to their page.
4.) You post lots of personal information on your page; such as your phone numbers, or your instant message screen name. I have even seen posts on Facebook where the teens will say they lost their cell phones and need everyone's phone numbers again. Teen after teen will then come on and post their information for the world to see! Predators look for this stuff. My daughter posted her IM info on the social networking site she is on, because she saw the owner of the site had his on his page. It wasn't long before she got lots of disgusting IM's and we had to close the account.
5.) You give out your personal e-mail address. One of many spammer's goals is to get you on their turf. Because they know if they ask you for your money on a social networking site, they could get kicked off. Why not tell them that you prefer they contact you on the site you're already on, if at all?
6.) You allow your kids to have a site. Great! Have you checked their site lately? Do you know what they are posting? For my kids, I do random "spot-checks." I will pop in and say, "Who are you talking to?" Or "What are you doing." Not like I am lording over them, but as if (and I do) care. Another idea is to have an account on the same site, and add yourself to their friends list. This way, anything they post will show up on your page for you to see.
7.) You have met someone who seems like a perfect mate. This person can be anything or anyone they want to be online! You've heard the stories, of girls posing as boys, neighbors posing as perfect strangers. You may love who they say they are, but who are they really?
8.) And last, but certainly not least.... If it sounds too good to be true, it is! No one is really willing to give you their deceased husband's millions. They want your money!
I am sure most of you are practicing Internet safety, but there are a lot of teens (and even some adults) who have to learn this information the hard way. If even one can be spared from having to attend the school of hard knocks by posting this, it was worth it. This is a self-compiled list from things I have seen on the web. I am not speaking on behalf of MyChurch, but as a personal post on my personal account.
Have you noticed anything that you feel is unsafe Internet practice? Please let us know about it in the comments. |
|
| To leave a comment or start your own blog: |
 |
or |
 |
Already a member? Login |
|
|
|
|
| Great advice Sue!!! Wisdom is definitely needed in all areas of uor lives, especially social networking. You have given some very practical and useful nuggets. |
|
|
| Great post Sue. I think the biggest mistake people make is posting personal information. Most people on line don't need your personal information. Only share it when you have to. Only ask for it when you absolutely need it. |
|
|
Kathy |
 |
July 07, 2008 at 12:02am |
|
| Good advice, Sue! |
|
|
Very important stuff, especially in today's online landscape. And Sue, you're awesome at keeping MyChurch a safe and authentic place to connect!! MyChurch is blessed because of you! |
|
|
Rosie |
|
July 07, 2008 at 3:44am |
|
| Great advise Sue.... |
|
|
| Great advice my friend and thanks for the information. |
|
|
Stacey |
|
July 07, 2008 at 5:49am |
|
| Great advice! |
|
|
| Your so right Sue I have already incounter some of these things you have listed asking for money and someone looking for a met and it's clears as day on my profile that I very happyly married & they seam blind to the fact. That I'm here to lift up the name of Jesus to learn from others to teach & receive the word. Indeed scam artist are on this site & others. OUTSTANDING POST |
|
|
Thanks for the post, Sue. This might be one to keep at the TOP of your links on your profile, a very good reference.
ps... Lording over your kids online? No way! They are our responsibility! Just like I wouldn't let any of my kids go to the mall alone, I won't let them go online completely alone and unsupervised. It's to protect their safety and innocence that we maintain an expectation that we parents can check out their online stuff as often as we like! And funny thing is, they appreciate it! |
|
|
Sue |
|
July 07, 2008 at 12:16pm |
|
Thank you all for your words of encouragement. This has been boiling inside of me for a while :)
Voice, Right on Brother! The less information scammers have, the less they have to run with.
Carol, Your kind words made my day!
Ma, Yeah, they seem to be everywhere! Please use the report button when they wind up in your box. Some often forget that wolves do wear sheep's clothing.
Mike, You're so right! Our kids love to show us what they have done on their sites. They love when we take an interest in what they are doing. It is also a blessing when you have the type of relationship with your kids when they feel they can share anything with you. The girls and I have that type of relationship. If the slightest thing happens, they come right to me. And that is why I feel safe with them online. |
|
|
Deb |
|
July 08, 2008 at 10:26pm |
|
| Great post Sue. A lot of great information there! |
|
|
| Great wisdom and practical advice. Thanks for posting this. Hopefully some of the younger ones (and foolish older ones LOL) will heed your advice. |
|
|
Sue, These are wise words. When my then 14 year old son asked if he could join a social networking site 3 years ago, I joined with him. Along the way I have felt a little more confident that he is on safe ground while I enjoyed the benefit of getting to know him and his friends a little better. It turned out to be win-win for me....he's still not sure what he thinks about it. :) Janet |
|
|
| Great advice my parent will go on the history every so often to make sure that we are safe |
|
|
Norm |
|
July 16, 2008 at 11:58pm |
|
I hate to say it, but myChurch does do one of those things that I would consider internet non-safe. I'd explain what and why, but this post does it for me already, although a brief blurb from there to explain the basic problem: I'm willing to give Yelp the benefit of the doubt here, but let's think about what it means to give out your email account and password to anyone, no matter how ostensibly trustworthy they may be: Number one with a bullet: your email account is a de-facto master password for your online identity. Most -- if not all -- of your online accounts are secured through your email. Remember all those "forgot password" and "forgot account" links? Guess where they ultimately resolve to? If someone controls your email account, they have nearly unlimited access to every online identity you own across every website you visit. |
|
|
Joey |
|
August 26, 2008 at 9:17pm |
|
You are so GOOD!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
back to top
