Net Etiquette in Social Networking Sites

Since social networking sites have become the biggest trend in 2003, almost everyone with a computer and an internet connection has an online account. The boom of Friendster in the country has attracted millions of Filipinos to become a member. In 2003, thousands of new members joined the latest bandwagon on a daily basis. Some of the accounts were even created as fakes, people trying to make a false identity.

Nowadays, there are more social networking sites that one can imagine: Facebook, Multiply, Myspace, Twitter, Plurk, etc. These all encourage membership and entering one’s personal information that should be kept hidden. Children as young as 9 years old have accounts as well. These are children who have computer subjects at school and have elder siblings or parents that are active in the social networking sites mentioned. They follow what they see at home and create their own virtual account so that they can keep up with what’s in.

The big question then is: are these children still getting the same internet etiquette knowledge as the older generation have? Are they even aware that, if left unattended, some of these crucial data they enter into the social networking sites can be harmful and life threatening? Are these children still aware of the possibility of identity theft, kidnappings, and even murder?

It is a scary thought—not being able to fully guard your children from the dangers that could endanger him. Especially when you, as a parent, could have prevented a negative circumstance by limiting what your child does online. Still, it is not too late. Children can and should be taught of the harmful things that could happen on the internet. Stories from the news about people getting killed when they ‘eyeball’ a friend whom they met in these social networking sites can still be prevented from happening to your own child.

How you may ask? Below are the internet etiquette guidelines that are vital to every child. Read them together and if your child is unsure and doubtful, explain to them as best as you can.

Children and teenagers, this is for your well-being and family’s safety, please read them and keep them in your hearts:

• E-mail addresses, names, addresses, telephone or mobile numbers should not be given out to strangers. If the person asking for it is persistent, ask permission from your parents or your guardian. These possess the biggest threat of all, because the person on the other end might stalk you or make you as a target for possible crimes.

• Attached files sent in e-mails should not be opened unless if it is from a reliable source. But even so, it is best to get the help of your parents or guardian because these attachments may contain viruses and could crash your computer.

• Without the permission from adults, don’t download anything from the internet because they might contain viruses as well.

• Entering contests should be done with adult supervision, as these may require delicate information to be submitted.

• If you come across a website or any information that makes you feel uncomfortable, inform an adult right away.

• Passwords should not be given out even to your best friends. When you get into a fight with any of them, they could open your account and change your data. They could even harm your reputation through this.

• Unless approved by your parents or guardian, avoiding entering websites and chatrooms which you have just seen in your screen. They could contain malicious data which is not suitable for your age.

• Never purchase anything from the internet. And most importantly, DO NOT GIVE OUT your parents’ or your own credit card number. This is a huge source of credit card fraud. Several websites have bogus credit card protection and even so, your account could be hacked and this delicate information is very dangerous.

• Lastly, the golden rule should always be remembered: “Do Unto Others What You Want Others  To Do Unto You.”

As always, parents have complete control over what their child can do in the internet. It is still the responsibility of the parents to educate and limit what their child can access. As such, there are programs on the internet wherein parents can install on their computers so that even in their absence, they are assured that their child is safe online. Here are some blocking/filtering software that are advisable for use:

Browsesafe CleanWeb

KidSafe Explorer NetNanny

Cyber Patrol Family Connect

NetRated SurfWatch

The internet is a great place to get information from and it should be kept that way. Make sure that your child is safe and knowledgeable of net etiquette.