by Mary Hale

Created on: January 13, 2007   Last Updated: May 12, 2007

One of the first steps in determining whether or not Myspace is safe for your children would be to make sure that they know and follow basic Internet safety practices. It is very important that you teach your child not to reveal their personal information (such as their name, address, and phone number) over the Internet. You should also teach them to use common sense and caution while interacting in chat rooms or message boards. They should relate the people they meet there with strangers, and remember not to give away too much about themselves.

Another consideration would be the ages of the children. Very young children probably do not need to visit Myspace. This site is geared more toward teenagers and adults, not young children. There is a lot of content there that is not suitable for younger children. Most younger kids also do not have the caution that older children would, and would not think twice about telling someone their name or where they live, if asked.

You should always ensure that your children are taught basic Internet safety practices and to also make sure that they follow them. Talk with your child about the risks and dangers of revealing too much about themselves on-line. If these practices are followed, your child should be able to visit and use Myspace safely.

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