(Otherwise known as Cruel Mom and MySpace Girl)

As the cruel mom in this story, I most point out, that the “teenage victim” of the very same story happens to be the twelve-year-old daughter of the cruel mom. One day, the cruel mom was sneaking evilly by MySpace Girl’s sparkling clean room just waiting to find something wrong when what should she discover? MySpace Girl had left a website on her computer. It happened to be her MySpace account. Unfortunately, this cruel mom was familiar with MySpace Rules and Teenage Guidelines and knew that MySpace Girl had finally broken a rule and she could punish MySpace Girl horribly. For you see, according to MySpace rules, you are required to be at least fourteen to have an account. They also have a policy that if you are found to not be telling the truth about your age when you are either under fourteen or between the ages of fourteen and seventeen, then they will investigate and remove the account. In addition, “cruel, mean, and evil” parents do have the right to remove their children’s accounts at any time. To find out ways to do this (which only cruel mean and evil parents would do), look in the MySpace FAQ (for cruel, mean and evil parents).

Well, to continue this story, the cruel mom sat down with MySpace Girl and made her remove every picture and comment that MySpace Girl had written. Then cruel mom shocked MySpace Girl because cruel mom showed MySpace Girl how easy it was to use just the information that MySpace Girl had put on MySpace to find out home addresses, phone numbers, schools…Then, cruel mom pulled up news stories of young daughters who didn’t have such cruel moms and what had happened. MySpace Girl came to realize that she did not have such a cruel mom after all. Actually, MySpace Girl decided that she might become a “cruel mom” one day, too!

Thankfully, the above “fairy tale” has a happy ending. Today, we read too many stories on the news that do not have such conclusions. Sexual predators have been prevalent throughout history; however, we do not see the dark dangerous alley when we are chatting on a computer from the safety of our bedroom. It is also much easier to fool someone with a chat window than in real life.

One of the best ways to help teach our children about general safety on the internet and particularly tools such as MySpace is to talk with them. Show them your MySpace account, if you have one. When they turn fourteen, help them set one up—you are involved in it, then. You can guide them in the right direction. MySpace has fantastic videos, both for parents and teens about all aspects of this site. They are well worth watching and discussing. Be an informed parent and an informed teen; do not be surprised by a MySpace girl or guy in your home! MySpace and Teenage Guidelines are available for everyone as a wonderful social tool in today’s Internet world! Enjoy and Be Safe!

Written by: OSAblogger / Bill Wardell - Please Read Our Latest OSA eZine Edition

Popularity: 22% [?]

OSA Technorati Tags: Informed Parent, MySpace, MySpace Guidelines

OSA Related Posts

• Behavior Treatment - Is This The Answer For Violent ADHD Children and Teens?
• Is It Any Wonder Teenagers Love MySpace?
• MySpace: How Do I Block It?
• 10 Tips On Guiding Kids How To Safely Use Social Networks
• MySpace isn't mommy
• Internet bullying
• Hidden Culture of Aggression in Teenage Girls
• Top 10 Dangerous Behaviors Promoted by Teens Online
• MySpace: Social networking can be risky; Cops warn parents of MySpace risks

OSA Related Websites

• A little Dorothy Parker
• How to Live On One Income
• Investing Safely
• Is Your Child a Swimmer? Here's the Parents' Role:
• Parents Should Teach Kids Finances, Not Just Schools
• Frugal Friday Week 18
• Book Review: The Natural Child - Parenting from the Heart.
• Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways
• When do parents hold the financial hammer?
• A Promise Kept