Sunday, June 29, 2008

Myspace: Is it good, bad or the inbetween? (for parents)

So I noticed I haven't written a post since April, which is really sad considering my other blog just got a new post. This one is different though-its more about Christian life and this post is just about that. While online I was thinking, "What kind of topic could I post on?" Then it hit me, I know a lot of parents are against myspace, for obvious reasons (danger) so I'm here to let you know that it’s not as bad as you think it is.

So here it goes...

First what are the reasons for you as a parent to not let your child have a myspace? The 1# answer to most of you is the danger factor, I know you've read all those news posts about people who have been raped, killed etc over myspace. The latest being a girl who was harassed by a parent on myspace, in the end she committed suicide. But the real problem isn't myspace, its how people use myspace. If your child isn't smart enough to know that they should 1) not talk to people on myspace forums (its just dangerous) 2) not leave there myspaces "open" meaning anybody can see there profile, pics etc 3) have their town on myspace (very dangerous, unless they're careful) Well then they shouldn't have a myspace, because those are just ways to get hurt or kidnapped. (Most likely both)

Ok I know I've given you the reasons to not let your child have a myspace, and your sitting down thinking, "Yeah that sounds about right" while your child is sitting down saying "oh gosh no..That didn't help at all" but alas child just wait and I'll bail you out.


If you don't want those scary stories to happen to your family then (besides not letting them have a myspace) talk to your child, let them know your concerns and make sure they know how to handle their cyber life. If someone messages them ignore them or do what I did (I'll tell you in a sec.) Tell your child to not believe everything they read, keep their myspace private, and 1# don't talk on the forums! (All it does is give the child the opportunity to meet scary people who do scary things.)

My myspace story...
I was online doing nothing in particular when I got a message, the message read "your hot," mmm I thought as I typed back saying, "thanks, do I know you?" The answer was no, but he wanted to be my friend so he started bugging me to get my last name or email (only people who have this can add you as a friend, which is very safe) I told him no and soon he started bugging me to the point where after asking my last name (again) I told him that it was "Christ" basically calling myself Jesus Christ’s daughter (something my mother thought was bad to do) Finally after telling him he had bad grammar, and him messaging back again wanting to be my friend I told him I was blocking him. Before I did though I saw his reply which was F*** you.
Moral of the story, if I would have added him (which would have been stupid) I could have given him my information and been kidnapped that night. So let your child know the dangers of myspace but make sure they know how to respond to those dangers. I cant stress this enough, DO NOT let your child do the above and they will be safe and all those stories about myspace wont apply to you, because in reality it isn't the Childs fault because they aren't smart enough. Its the parent who should instruct their child on dangerous matters, its like I tell people...Parent's should talk to their kids about the dangers of this world because if they don't have the knowledge then they wont know danger when its presented to them; and they can take the bait and the next thing you know there's an article about your child in the paper.

So let your child have a myspace, just talk to them about the danger before hand, and then if people start messaging them tell them you want them coming to you.
I hope this has helped parents, and if you have other myspace concerns then please leave a comment and I will reply as soon as I can!

God Bless
Kat

1 comment:

Laurie said...

Some of my concerns are less to do with danger and more to do with the freedom young girls and boys take with this form of socializing.

If for the single purpose of communication ..hey yah, I can understand that. To put up one or two profile pictures, I can be OK with that too. But I see this network being used to show off pictures of themselves that don't even really depict reality. Many seductive pictures.. MANY! It bothers me that parents aren't even monitoring what their kids are doing. It's a deceptive tool if you ask me. Do you put pictures of yourself on your myspace that depict sensuality? Do you make yourself look like something your not? Do you anxiously wait for comments from your friends.. and boys?

When we get noticed in this manner, we can't help but want more of that same attention. The kids start making friends with strangers.. friends of friends.. emotions reak havic and create false feelings of affection.
Has a boy ever fallen in love with you through your communication with him on Myspace? It gives a false reality of socializing.. How well do most of these kids get along with each other in person?

A false sense of socializing creates depression for many kids who don't know how to function and communicate in real life scenarios.

You can create a persona online.. it can all be an act.. but that doesn't play out very well in true human contact.

So.. myspace is a lot more dangerous than merely having strangers know where you live. It's mentally dangerous!

And as far as those seductive pictures go.. the girls who post them may not think they are hurting anyone.. namely themselves, but they do stumble the hormonally raging boys that aren't living a spirit controlled life yet.