These statistics show that over 800 million people actively use Facebook! Its kind of scary to think that your child has the possibility of being friend-ed by any of them?! Be an aware parent and watch over your child's online activity, but do it form afar! Don't go get on their page! Make your own! That's taking away trust and we are entering a digital age! You need to be on the internet learning just as much as your children do! Quotes: Facts about Facebook: More than 800 million active user More than 900 million objects that people interact with (pages, groups, events and community pages) More than 70 languages available on the site On average, people on Facebook install apps more than 20 million times every day More than 350 million active users currently access Facebook through their mobile devices

How to be a cyber citizen and stay safe online are major topics in this day and age. Many people (not just teens) need to learn that respect should be carried into the digital world. Ten ways to be a better cyber citizen: 1.) Understand the technology available to protect you and your family's digital identity 2.)Consider using a personal security device when going online 3.)Use antivirus and antispyware software 4.)Teach family & friends about the importance of strong passwords 5.)Get involved in your child's online life 6.)Report cybercrime 7.) Protect your home or small business Wi-Fi network 8.) If you're a parent, consider parental control systems for Internet access on 3G mobile phones 9.) If your bank does not provide a smart bankcard, know the other safe ways to shop online 10.) Don't share information with web sites you don't trust

I firmly believe as a child of a very "nosy" mother, that I is the parents duty to keep their children in check, but I do not agree with this! If you don't trust you child enough to NOT read their messages, then maybe they don't need one! All this does is give them doubts of your trust, they will feel as if you are invading their privacy, and will be deleting things constantly. Parents need to understand that trust works both ways. This conversation is going to be award and neither the parents nor the child wants to have it, but you need to. It's one way of protecting your child without destroying their trust and doubting yours! Quotes: "I routinely check the texts and photos on their cell phones," says Susan Kain." "let's all talk to our children about Internet safety, social networking sites and "sexting."

The controversial between Facebook crossing the line or being "ok"! A teenage girl goes on FB after coming home past her curfew and drunk. She get grounded for 5 weeks (no friends or parties) ! She goes and makes a petition on FB (1,000 likes to get her ungrounded") Some teenagers amaze me with how stupid they can be online! Don't ya think that the page would infuriate her parents more instead of arguing her "point"?! Teens like her are the reason good parents are so strict about the internet! Quote: "Facebook is not appropriate." opinions.... they go different ways... this is major conflict!

Online parenting is just like regular parenting! Parents need to realize that if they want their kids to respect the boundaries online, they need to find a little compromise with excepting some of their son/daughter's boundaries for themselves! Don't go writing of their Facebook wall or reading messages! Some things are sacred! You can't pull the "I pay for this, Facebook is free!" Quote: "We all want our kids' respect. That's why we've got to hold them accountable for respecting our boundaries. While we're at it, we need to respect their boundaries too. Great advice, though not always easy to follow. But like I said, parenting is an art... you've got to practice to improve. Besides, we're not looking for perfection, just progress."

Cyberbullying is a big part of many adults' parental lives. There are many cases of cyberbullling and they are getting more serious every day. Essential Parenting tips: 1.) Make sure your kids know cyberbulling is wrong 2.) Take interest in your kids' online behavior 3.) Check school policies on cyberbulling 4.) Set guidelines about cell-phone use 5.) Help your children respond appropriately if they are cyberbullied Elizabeth Englander, author of Understanding Violence and Jonathan Singer, at the Temple University of Social Work (I agree with a couple tips but some might be crossing the line between protecting their kids and taking over their online life.

Attorney General Talks to Middle School and High School students about online safety and sends home a DVD to take home to their parents to help guide them to social media and Internet lingo dictionary to help protect their children form online predators. Quote: "We live in a digital age. There are things facing our children/students that give them a lot more opportunities as well as a lot more challenges that they have to be prepared to deal with,"**and parents need to be prepared as well to be able to better protect their children*** Jefferson County Superintendent Dr. Ron Tolman said. ***add by me***

Grimes, a internet awareness specialist, has a point! Many careless teens are going on sites such as Facebook and putting things up on the site they aren't going to be able to fix when they decide they regret in! These teens are making careless mistakes that could effect how their life turns out in the future! We need to be careful about what we put on the internet! Being your child's friend on Facebook allows you to view what you need to see without breaking trust with you children! Its a win for both! Quote: "The best thing we can do is teach our kids what the pitfalls are," he explained during his Internet Awareness presentation. "What your kid posts at 15, it is going be searchable when they are 25, 35. Our kids are making mistakes for the whole world to see." "Grimes advised parents to be their child's "friend" on Facebook(NOTview through their child's page, because that would show lack of trust in your children) and see what they are posting online =. Parents should look at their child's "friend" list and find out how many are actually known and not claiming to a friend of a friend. When children are young, they are told not to talk to strangers, however with social networking the warning does not always get followed. " "Cyber Bullying is not a technology problem, it often involves friends or former friends hurting one another. He described Cyber Bullying as a small version of what terrorists do - try to alter lifestyles - in these cases those of individuals or a small group."

Keeping your children safe online! This website stresses the importance of being aware of your child's online activity! Childline's five tips for parents with children on social networking sites. · Set very clear rules for online use and clear consequences if they are broken. · Discuss some of the unique aspects of behaviour in cyberspace-like anonymity and what it means for your child and for others. · Watch the time. Use an alarm clock or timer if you or your child lose track of time. · In addition, many young teenagers are interested in "chatting." Be aware of who they are chatting to · Make sure your teenager knows the legal implications of online behavior

Many parents are strict on their kids about the internet, not because they don't trust their kids, but because they are not well versed with the aspects of the internet! We need to get our parents informed about the internet so they will be a better example for online citizenship for their children! Tips shared to help parents with online parenting: Give kids a code of conduct. Remind them not to post/IM/text anything they wouldn't say to that person's face; Discuss cyber-bullying with kids and ask if they know anyone who has been bullied; Talk about the importance of privacy and how to protect it discuss their online identity and possible risky behavior. "Raise good digital citizens!" Kids' online activity can affect their safety, reputation, college and career options, among other things in the "real world," so it's important they're smart about their online activity.[Kids are] leaving digital prints everywhere they go," Boss said, they need to be careful where those prints are left and what they're left on. School District Holds Cyber Smart Presentation Parents learned what their kids are doing out in cyberspace on Wednesday night during the school district's Cyber Smart presentation. The district-wide event is meant to provide parents with information and resources about online safety precautions, age appropriate websites, cyber trends, how to spot, prevent and deal with internet issues, and how to protect their kids' computers and cell phones. "The whole evening is about educating parents about the technology that's out there," said Laura Boss The presentation encouraged parents to embrace their kids' digital world, support balanced use, monitor their kids' digital media use, and discuss what sites they are allowed to visit and what they can and can't download. Kids' online activity can affect their safety, reputation, college and career options, among other things in the "real world," so it's important