Parents Warn Your Teens about the Dangers of
Using Social Media Marketing
Websites
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 History: Article Written - October 27, 2008
Edited by: Lonnie Amirault - March 25, 2009
Are you the parent of a teenager? If so, there is a good
chance that you are wondering about their safety online, as you
should be. Although the internet has changed for the better,
that change has made it easier for people to access the
internet and pretend to be someone that they are not, someone
who you would likely not want socializing with your child.
For that reason, you are advised to take the proper action
needed to protect your child when they are online, especially
when they use online Social Media Marketing websites.
Online Social Media Marketing websites? What are they? If you are
not an internet user yourself, you may be completely unaware of
Social Media Marketing websites, what they are, and how they
operate.
The first step in protecting your teen is to familiarize
yourself with them. Social networking websites are known as
online communities that aim to connect internet users with each
other.
Unfortunately, these social networks have become the
stomping grounds for many online predators and who are they
after? Teenagers and chances are your teen may be one of
them.
When it comes to protecting your child, your first thought
may be to prohibit the use of online networking websites. Of
course, you can do this if you want to. You are the parent, you
can do anything that you want; however, there is really no need
to. Despite the fact that danger exists, Social Media Marketing
sites are relatively safe, even for teenagers.
However, to be safe and stay safe, your teenager needs to
know what to avoid and who to be on the lookout for.
Essentially, this means that they best way to protect your
child from online predators is to educate them on the danger
that is out there.
One of the first things that you may want to discuss with
your child is who they are talking with online. Although they
may not want to give you an answer, you need to emphasize the
importance of knowing who they are talking to.
Since social networks work to connect individuals who do not
physically know each other it may seem impossible, but it can
be done. Your child should fully read and try to understand the
content of their friend’s online profiles.
This will enable them to watch out for inconsistent stories
or any inaccurate information. Tell your teen that if they
learn that someone is being untruthful they need to end the
conversation right away.
In addition to who your teen is taking to, it is also
important to learn what they are talking about. As with who
they are talking to, your teenager may not want to give you a
straight answer.
Even if you are unable to get an answer out of them it is
important to let them know what is appropriate and what is not.
Be sure they know that it is best to completely avoid
individuals who like to speak of sex, drugs, and other illegal
activities.
Although they may enjoy having a number of online friends,
there are plenty of other individuals, especially teenagers,
who would more than willing to have pleasant and harmless
conversations with them.
Perhaps, the most important thing to discuss with your
teenager about Social Media Marketing sites is arranging physical
meetings. Let them know that these meeting are unacceptable.
There have been numerous reports, over the past few years, of
teenagers being lured away from their home in hopes of meeting
a new friend, who they thought was their age. Unfortunately,
many of these online friends turn out to be older and, in many
cases, sexual predators.
In the event that your teenager wants to meet an online
friend and you feel that they would with or without your
permission, you may want to offer to go with them. Of course,
it is advised that you use caution and all meet in a public
place.
By keeping the above mentioned points in mind, your child
should still be able to use social network sites, but use them
safely. In addition to the above mentioned safety concerns and
precautionary measures, you may have your own. Whether you do
or not, it is important that you keep your child aware of the
dangers that lurk online, awareness is the key.
==========================
Travelogue of an Internet Marketer
Join Lonnie Amiraults Journey to
Internet Marketing Success.
http://Blog.SuccessUnPlugged.com
==========================
Continue -> Staying
Safe Social Media Marketing Websites
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