Do you require your teenager to befriend you on Myspace/Facebook, if they want an account?

I don't think they should be allowed to have an account, if they don't.

I probably would. My 10yr old asked about one. I asked her to name the friends she has that have one. She named one girl. I told her no.

Do you require your teenager to befriend you on Myspace/Facebook, if they want an account?



Yes.

My kids are not teens yet... but 2 of them have a myspace. I monitor everything they do on it, neither one has the passwords. And they are both my friends and each others on myspace.

Only problem with them being friends is you have to watch what you yourself put on there and what any of your friends might put on there.

Can't they be friends with you, yet have the ability to screen you out when they want?

Do you require your teenager to befriend you on Myspace/Facebook, if they want an account?

I don't think they should be allowed to have an account, if they don't.

Yes.
But when they get mad at me, they remove me from their friends.
Then I put a password on the computer until they add me back.
:evil:

Yes.
But when they get mad at me, they remove me from their friends.
Then I put a password on the computer until they add me back.
:evil:

I like it.......:evil:

Yes.
But when they get mad at me, they remove me from their friends.
Then I put a password on the computer until they add me back.
:evil:

I took the keyboard away, because he refused to add me. I told him as soon as he added me, he could have it back. I asked him "do you see that happening?", and he said "No".

I took the keyboard away, because he refused to add me. I told him as soon as he added me, he could have it back. I asked him "do you see that happening?", and he said "No".

Being an ex-teen boy, he will get another keyboard.

Thank ya Jeebus that my kids are adults :notworthy It was tough enough monitoring and blocking their email accounts.

Being an ex-teen boy, he will get another keyboard.

That's what I hear!! I'll be putting passwords on all the computers tomorrow.

Thank ya Jeebus that my kids are adults :notworthy It was tough enough monitoring and blocking their email accounts.

I bet you are! I didn't even think about monitoring his emails.

He's my stepson, who called on Monday morning, and asked if he could move in with us. My husband and I went up to his Mom's that night, and we went over what would be expected of him, and what wouldn't be acceptable to us. He agreed to everything, and we brought him home that night.
I withdrew him from Northern the next day, and enrolled him in Patuxent. Today is Thursday, and he's not living up to his agreement already!

That's what I hear!! I'll be putting passwords on all the computers tomorrow.


I wonder if we should start a pool on how long that will last or how long it will take for him to get around it. Kids are extremely resourceful these days.

Being a teen and just graduating from highschool I figured I should voice my opinion also. I personally think that high school students shouldn't be monitered like you guys are saying they need to be. Middle schoolers yes. High schoolers are almost adults and need to learn their responabilities. Your also not facing the problem of you stepson being a girl and posting racy photos. Is there a reason why you want to protect him so much? Has he done things in the past to make you worried about his internet access?

Myspace/ Facebook are jsut social things for most kids and when parents force them to be their friend and have them check their page is embaressing, that is why kids get freaked out about it. I gladly befriended my mother because I could care less.

I'm also sure that you all did things when you were younger you didn't want your parents seeing, etc.

Being a teen and just graduating from highschool I figured I should voice my opinion also. I personally think that high school students shouldn't be monitered like you guys are saying they need to be. Middle schoolers yes. High schoolers are almost adults and need to learn their responabilities. Your also not facing the problem of you stepson being a girl and posting racy photos. Is there a reason why you want to protect him so much? Has he done things in the past to make you worried about his internet access?

Myspace/ Facebook are jsut social things for most kids and when parents force them to be their friend and have them check their page is embaressing, that is why kids get freaked out about it. I gladly befriended my mother because I could care less.

I'm also sure that you all did things when you were younger you didn't want your parents seeing, etc.
my only question is which high school gave you the diploma?

That's what I hear!! I'll be putting passwords on all the computers tomorrow.
doesnt mean he cant get on, on other computers/cellphones/ipods....
Being a teen and just graduating from highschool I figured I should voice my opinion also. I personally think that high school students shouldn't be monitered like you guys are saying they need to be. Middle schoolers yes. High schoolers are almost adults and need to learn their responabilities. Your also not facing the problem of you stepson being a girl and posting racy photos. Is there a reason why you want to protect him so much? Has he done things in the past to make you worried about his internet access?

Myspace/ Facebook are jsut social things for most kids and when parents force them to be their friend and have them check their page is embaressing, that is why kids get freaked out about it. I gladly befriended my mother because I could care less.

I'm also sure that you all did things when you were younger you didn't want your parents seeing, etc.

im young, 22, and if a child doesnt want their parent seeing what they are doing, they shouldnt be doing it, IMO. and i dont care how old, if the child is living under the parents roof, they need to abide by their rules. There were some things on my fb that started some problems in my family, rumors too, i showed my Mom my fb, she wasnt exactly happy about it, but she knows that im 22 and can make my own decisions. You dont get that choice when youre under 18 and living under your parents roof. If they want to act like an adult, get a job and move out like an adult.

my only question is which high school gave you the diploma?

do you have to be a smarta** about everything? Leonardtown BTW. I am not going to waste my spelling and grammer skills on a forum talking to a bunch of people who love to argue.

do you have to be a smarta** about everything? Leonardtown BTW. I am not going to waste my spelling and grammer skills on a forum talking to a bunch of people who love to argue.
So why waste your time at all and argue back?

doesnt mean he cant get on, on other computers/cellphones/ipods....


im young, 22, and if a child doesnt want their parent seeing what they are doing, they shouldnt be doing it, IMO. and i dont care how old, if the child is living under the parents roof, they need to abide by their rules. There were some things on my fb that started some problems in my family, rumors too, i showed my Mom my fb, she wasnt exactly happy about it, but she knows that im 22 and can make my own decisions. You dont get that choice when youre under 18 and living under your parents roof. If they want to act like an adult, get a job and move out like an adult.


Exactly

It's not just about what they are doing, it's also about all the other people on the internet that aren't who they say they are.

doesnt mean he cant get on, on other computers/cellphones/ipods....


im young, 22, and if a child doesnt want their parent seeing what they are doing, they shouldnt be doing it, IMO. and i dont care how old, if the child is living under the parents roof, they need to abide by their rules. There were some things on my fb that started some problems in my family, rumors too, i showed my Mom my fb, she wasnt exactly happy about it, but she knows that im 22 and can make my own decisions. You dont get that choice when youre under 18 and living under your parents roof. If they want to act like an adult, get a job and move out like an adult.

I believe that if you give a kid a little trust, they will behave more and open up to you more. My parents let me do my own thing and because of that I talk to my parents about drugs, sex, acohol, and the problems I sometimes face. I was a very good student in school and I am now in college. I also openly show my parents my pages and pictures of whatever/ Parents who monitor their children 24/7 normally lose the ability to communicate with their kids. IMO

Exactly

It's not just about what they are doing, it's also about all the other people on the internet that aren't who they say they are.

That is understandable. My parents had a talk with me about that same subject when I told them I had FB/Myspace. Maybe you should explain to your stepson why you are concerned about him having them. Explain that there are people out there who prey off children, etc. Discussion is better then just telling him no.

I believe that if you give a kid a little trust, they will behave more and open up to you more. My parents let me do my own thing and because of that I talk to my parents about drugs, sex, acohol, and the problems I sometimes face. I was a very good student in school and I am now in college. I also openly show my parents my pages and pictures of whatever/ Parents who monitor their children 24/7 normally lose the ability to communicate with their kids. IMO
EVERY child is different EVERY parent is different, doesnt matter how great, how open, how much trust u give them, each child will react different. I grew up with both types of parents, one who trust me and gave me my space, and the other was waaaaaaay more protective than she shouldve ever been. but if the child isnt doing anything bad they shouldnt care. And again, parents house, parents rules.

do you have to be a smarta** about everything? Leonardtown BTW. I am not going to waste my spelling and grammer skills on a forum talking to a bunch of people who love to argue.

It's grammar, and how do you know I was being a smarta$$ and wasn't going to congratulate you on graduating from high school and wishing you well in your future endeavors and asking if you have intentions of attending college??????

That is understandable. My parents had a talk with me about that same subject when I told them I had FB/Myspace. Maybe you should explain to your stepson why you are concerned about him having them. Explain that there are people out there who prey off children, etc. Discussion is better then just telling him no.
and the 15 yr old boy, who she tells about predators, really keeps that in mind when some "hot model" keeps sending him pics and wants to meet up with him. Thats where the trust comes in, you have to trust they arent dumb enough to do something like that.

Parents who monitor their children 24/7 normally lose the ability to communicate with their kids. IMO
Keeping tabs on a child's Myspace/Facebook account is not monitoring them 24/7.

Keeping tabs on a child's Myspace/Facebook account is not monitoring them 24/7.
:clap: :yeahthat:

It's grammar, and how do you know I was being a smarta$$ and wasn't going to congratulate you on graduating from high school and wishing you well in your future endeavors and asking if you have intentions of attending college??????

The way you typed it.

Keeping tabs on a child's Myspace/Facebook account is not monitoring them 24/7.
TY.... get one of those key counter program things lol. Let him on, and then u will have his password.

there is a way to go about seeing what they do and them not adding you....make another myspace do not add you as a friend...make it teenager cool and send a friend request...when they add you...your in. At that point they will not be careful what they say and you will know more about what is really going on...:evil: I know i did it lol

and the 15 yr old boy, who she tells about predators, really keeps that in mind when some "hot model" keeps sending him pics and wants to meet up with him. Thats where the trust comes in, you have to trust they arent dumb enough to do something like that.

Well then discuss that with him too! Trust goes along way. Your right every child is different. And none of us know the said child so we have no idea what he is like. She asked for opinions and I gave mine, just like the rest of you but since I stood up for the kid I get pounced on.

there is a way to go about seeing what they do and them not adding you....make another myspace do not add you as a friend...make it teenager cool and send a friend request...when they add you...your in. At that point they will not be careful what they say and you will know more about what is really going on...:evil: I know i did it lol
you guys should make a fake myspace and facebook on here and share it :lol: give the passwords to parents who need it :lol:

Well then discuss that with him too! Trust goes along way. Your right every child is different. And none of us know the said child so we have no idea what he is like. She asked for opinions and I gave mine, just like the rest of you but since I stood up for the kid I get pounced on.
im trying to be realistic. yes she could be open and talk to him and he could know better, or..... she could still be open with him, and he could get kidnapped, raped, and murdered. Most teenage boys penises' have the last say in a decision. Technology is great these days u can make people think alot of things. Send pics, videos, voice changer on the phone.... and once that boy gets "excited" :BAM! gone!

I am glad myspace didnt come into being until I was older..it can really cause some drama. But I dont think it is dangerous if you simply explain the dangers and not to put personal info online, etc. I think it is silly that people think there are predators just waiting for a kid with no mom on their myspace. Yeah I got some off color email from people I didn't know..thats the extent of it. I think that making fake myspaces and such to sneak check on your kids only shows them that they should be sneaky. no matter what you do they can have one without your permission..so unless you have a reason to suspect they are say, selling drugs on myspace..give em a break.

Trust, but verify.

Both my teens know this to be my motto.

I am glad myspace didnt come into being until I was older..it can really cause some drama. But I dont think it is dangerous if you simply explain the dangers and not to put personal info online, etc. I think it is silly that people think there are predators just waiting for a kid with no mom on their myspace. Yeah I got some off color email from people I didn't know..thats the extent of it. I think that making fake myspaces and such to sneak check on your kids only shows them that they should be sneaky. no matter what you do they can have one without your permission..so unless you have a reason to suspect they are say, selling drugs on myspace..give em a break.

I agree! :yay:

do you have to be a smarta** about everything? Leonardtown BTW. I am not going to waste my spelling and grammer skills on a forum talking to a bunch of people who love to argue.

Good one. :lol:

Good one. :lol:

Psst... have you seen Eddie's FB lately...:eyebrow:

Psst... have you seen Eddie's FB lately...:eyebrow:

He learned it by watching me!

What happened to the days when kids would meet new friends at school or the arcade? Play football in the backyard or baseball in a sandlot. Playing street hockey on the neighbourhood streets and having to yell "car coming" and pick the net up to move it outta the way. I guess I'm glad I was a kid back then. Technology is a great thing, but I also think it is a downfall to todays children. They don't get to interact with other kids the way we did when we were growing up. I'm sure its going to be worse when my daughter is in her teenage years. It scares the crap out of me thinking about it.

Ok, I'm done now.

What happened to the days when kids would meet new friends at school or the arcade? Play football in the backyard or baseball in a sandlot. Playing street hockey on the neighbourhood streets and having to yell "car coming" and pick the net up to move it outta the way. I guess I'm glad I was a kid back then. Technology is a great thing, but I also think it is a downfall to todays childern. They don't get to interact with other kids the way we did when we were growing up. I'm sure its going to be worse when my daughter is in her teenage years. It scares the crap out of me thinking about it.

Ok, I'm done now.

The beav tried boones farm and american society went down from there.

The beav tried boones farm and american society went down from there.

:killingme

Trust, but verify.

Both my teens know this to be my motto.

:buddies::yay::yay:

Being a teen and just graduating from highschool I figured I should voice my opinion also. I personally think that high school students shouldn't be monitered like you guys are saying they need to be. Middle schoolers yes. High schoolers are almost adults and need to learn their responabilities. Your also not facing the problem of you stepson being a girl and posting racy photos. Is there a reason why you want to protect him so much? Has he done things in the past to make you worried about his internet access?

Myspace/ Facebook are jsut social things for most kids and when parents force them to be their friend and have them check their page is embaressing, that is why kids get freaked out about it. I gladly befriended my mother because I could care less.
I'm also sure that you all did things when you were younger you didn't want your parents seeing, etc.


WELL I am a parent and that you could "care less" about befriending your mother is great. That shows that there is nothing going on to worry about. However, for those kids who have a problem with befriending their parents. That is a sign that can not be ignored. That tells me that there is something they don't want me to see. That clearly means to me I need to monitor what's going on.

I agree when I was younger there where things I didn't want my parents to know BUT those things weren't available to the world.

WELL I am a parent and that you could "care less" about befriending your mother is great. That shows that there is nothing going on to worry about. However, for those kids who have a problem with befriending their parents. That is a sign that can not be ignored. That tells me that there is something they don't want me to see. That clearly means to me I need to monitor what's going on.

I agree when I was younger there where things I didn't want my parents to know BUT those things weren't available to the world.

:yeahthat:

Also, I think my kid appreciates me monitoring her facebook and myspace. It keeps the riff raff from getting out of hand that she would maybe have to deal with. Kids are much less apt to post trash when they know someone's mom is watching. :shrug:

:yeahthat:

Also, I think my kid appreciates me monitoring her facebook and myspace. It keeps the riff raff from getting out of hand that she would maybe have to deal with. Kids are much less apt to post trash when they know someone's mom is watching. :shrug:

I have to say, I've always told my daughter that if a guy or friends for that matter don't what or like to be around your parents then there's something wrong, they're your friend for the wrong reasons or not truely your friend at all. Of course she's 10 and agrees with me right now. When she's 16 she'll have a different view. I won't support friendships with kids that don't or won't come around the family.

What happened to the days when kids would meet new friends at school or the arcade? Play football in the backyard or baseball in a sandlot. Playing street hockey on the neighbourhood streets and having to yell "car coming" and pick the net up to move it outta the way. I guess I'm glad I was a kid back then. Technology is a great thing, but I also think it is a downfall to todays children. They don't get to interact with other kids the way we did when we were growing up. I'm sure its going to be worse when my daughter is in her teenage years. It scares the crap out of me thinking about it.

Ok, I'm done now.

:yeahthat: Atleast a couple parents on each of my boy's soccer teams tell me "I'm so glad I made (insert name) play soccer or else we'd never get him away from the computer/video games. This is the only time he goes outside." And their mouths drop when I tell them that it's nearly impossible to get my boys INSIDE regardless of rain, snow, etc. They like TV and the xbox but would rather ride their bikes, explore the woods behind our house or go over to a neighbors house to play in their yard (different yard = whole new places to explore).

All the cool kids are on Facespace now.