SUNDAY, Feb. 5 (HealthDay News) -- More than 60 percent of
American teens have at least one profile on a social networking
site, and many spend more than two hours a day on social networking
sites, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry.
Like many activities, social networking sites offer both
opportunities and risks for teens, and parents need to help their
children use these sites wisely, the academy advises.
Potential benefits include: staying connected with friends;
developing new social contacts with peers who have similar
interests; sharing self-expression such as music, artwork and
political views; and development and expression of individual
identity.
Possible risks include: cyberbullying; sharing too much personal
information; vulnerability to predatory adults; regrets about
sharing certain photos or videos; exposure to large amounts of
marketing that may not be age-appropriate; identity theft and
reduced physical activity.
Parents can help children use social networking sites safely and
appropriately and should have an open discussion with their
children about the topic, the academy advised in a news release.
Parents should suggest that children:
- Restrict access to their page to keep control of their
information.
- Keep their full name, address, telephone number, social
security number and bank or credit card number to themselves.
- Post only information/photos/videos they are comfortable with
everyone seeing.
- Talk to their parents before considering a face-to-face meeting
with anyone they meet online and consider the potential risks of
such meetings.
Parents need to establish rules about the use of social
networking sites, how Internet usage will be monitored, and what
happens if usage interferes with family time or other social
activities, the academy suggests.
More information
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation offers a
parent's guide to Internet safety.