Why would you be on your teen child's FB/tweeter?

Heather - posted on 09/12/2010

Hey they are still teenagers who need supervised. Who cares if its annoying to them. I wouldnt allow their friends to post such crude things on fb to them, or anything. FB and other social networking sites are privelages, IMO and if they cant handle you being firends on it, well... what do they have to hide? Ya know?

Suzy - posted on 09/12/2010

Nothing wrong with keeping tabs and calling out questionable things when it comes to YOUR KIDS! I am not nosy, per se, but I do check in once in a while and if I see something worth addressing, I will do so! It's called parenting so more power to you!

Jazi - posted on 09/12/2010

I have 2 teens both of whom started online around age 8 so the could communicate easily with a Bio-parent through yahoo I'M. I created minor accounts for them, linked to my adult account. Yes, I had to link a CC to my account (but I did that back years ago) for other minors.

I had total control of who was allowed to connect with them on Yahoo IM, I was notified of any password changes and I could change them back with a few simple steps.

We also had the computer in the living room, thanks to Microsoft we could set up multiple users so the kids could be restriced on accessibility, what programs were avaiable, times they could go online, ect. (Windows 7 is even better for parental control, cause you can track history online from multiple computers if they have their own!)

Now that my two are 17 & 18, I am friends with BOTH of them on their nit-twitter & facebook accounts along with several of their friends (and they ALL use funky names not their real ones - in their words "for safety") for Us, its just another level of communication.

Now I have a 22 month old. While atm he lives with all of us, his sibs are heading off to college soon, so in a few years when his current 12 writeable letters (yes -proud mommy brag - he can write a,b,e,j,k,n,r,s,t,v,y,z the word Nanna-his sisters name and 9) turn into words on a keyboard, I see IM's & emails forthcomming.

For parents - I sugest TALKING with your kids about you being a friend if you're not already, rather than telling them. When you're dealing with pre-teens & teens they want freedom & respect, we want instant obedience and the understanding that we control every aspect of their lives until WE decide they are ready to be trusted.

Have fun

Kayla - posted on 09/11/2010

He is a teenager he needs supervision. But I suggest letting him know that he is being supervised. Like making an account and adding him as a friend. That's what my parents did and that is what I will do with my child. That way he knows your there. That way he knows to keep it appropriate. Also you can't blame him to much for his friends language, but if you are a friend on his account you can suggest that his friends keep it clean on his page.

Sherri - posted on 09/10/2010

My kids are 12 & 13 and have been on FB for the past year or so so I am just very cautious and we only have computer in our livingroom no areas where all can view at all times.

Kathy - posted on 09/10/2010

I am my daughter's friend on Facebook. I also can get on her profile anytime I want. I am friends with many of her friends. I can understand not approving of other teens' language but please remember you are responsible for one and one on that site. As long as your son is being responsible online, not posting too much private info, decent pics, and his language is respectable-you are doing a good job. The wonderful Constitution protects an individual's right to free speech and there is nothing more a teen likes to do than flex their rights! LOL

April - posted on 09/10/2010

Oh parents! It's called Norton Parental Controls. My daughter is 12, she does is not on any social networks and she will not be on any until she hits the age limit for them. I will be checking her pages as well. I know what I did as a kids, so I have some experience here. The language is bad with the kids. So, I make sure I meet every childs parent my daughter play with before my daughter goes to their house. I make sure their goals are the same as mine, otherwise the kids play at my house. They have internet access, but with Norton Parental Controls, I am able to block everything but the sites I allow them to be on. No, FB, Mysapace, Youtube and anything else. It's disney channel and learning games. It's not invasion of privacy when they are under 18 and living under your roof. There are too many things on the internet and no child should be left to browes through the internet with out supervision. If you care you will check up on them. Don't take that as meaning going through their room piece by piece everyday. Just checking up on them.

Chrystal - posted on 09/10/2010

i have 2 teen sons on my fb... yes their friends can be rude and crude and everything inbetween.... but thats a teen 4 u!! yes u can say "not my kid" and "i will not allow that in my house" and " he/she only wants 2 do that cause that "bad"friend they have" .. well wake up eiter u kow about it or they will keep it from u.. eveything from u!! u might not like what u hear or see but its the truth... guide them 2the best road possable thats all we can do cause when it comes down 2 it they r the ones that make the decision what road 2 take

Kate - posted on 09/10/2010

i joined facebook just so i could keep an eye on my kids as they tell me nothing, they are 15 and 18 i have both my kids pass words so i know what is going on

Summer - posted on 09/10/2010

We just signed my son up for his own account. He wants us on his friends list and he is a great kid. Until i lose his trust or he stops talking to me about things on his mind... I feel no need to watch him like a hawk...but, then again, he doesn't cuss, most of his friends don't cuss.... None of them have ever cussed on his FB page... He has manners and morals... All you can do is raise them the best you can. If you are to overbearing, thats when they hide stuff. My child is not an angel, but he is an awesome son! He uses his computer all the time, for school, legos, games... excetra... If you are concerned about what your child is looking at .... because of things they have done... you can change the settings on the computer to view what your child views.

Rona - posted on 09/10/2010

I'm on my son's friends list as well and he is pretty open and honest with me about what goes on there. I'm not spying on him at all and he will actually walk away from the computer and leave his FB page up and I do have his password too cause I play a couple of games for him cause he socializes with his friends on here more than he plays and he knows that I'm like the game queen so he lets me play his games for him LOL. But he's a great kid I have no worries with him..

Tracy - posted on 09/09/2010

My 8 yr old is allowed on ONE site for math games. He asked me to get him on the Build-A-Bear site when he got his new bear, so I did. Until I realized it's a networking site. NOPE. He understood, anything where there's interaction with others is off limits because there are terrible people who will hunt kids. When he's at an age that I allow a social network, damn straight I'll have access. My partner and I have full access to each other's accounts, even though we don't get in there. I've dealt with computer secrets too much before, it's not tolerated now.

Erica - posted on 09/09/2010

CHECK IT....you are the parent and it is your responsiblty to make sure he is doing what is right.....I checked my oldest childs until he was 18.

Julie - posted on 09/09/2010

hehe anyone remember that Desperate Housewife episode where Lannete pretented to be teenage girl and "friended" one of her sons? of course you can imagin the greek tragedy that turned out to be!!!

Jodi - posted on 09/09/2010

Julie, I know my son has nothing else, I monitor all internet activity.....it's not that difficult. No computers in bedrooms, it is in the living area of the house, and I have it logging activity. He doesn't even have the password to log onto the internet unless I enter it in. Sure-fired way of making sure he has full supervision. I'm not stupid!! I KNOW kids do things behind their parent's backs!! And I have that covered at this point.

Jara - posted on 09/09/2010

I would DEFINATELY be on my child's FB or whatever other website they were on. I know what I did when I was younger, how I talked, all that. I won't allow my kids to do all the crap I did or pull the crap I did.

Erin - posted on 09/09/2010

I check my friends pages ALL the time, of course I would check my child's. That's what FB is about, being a stalker :)

Sherri - posted on 09/09/2010

I would believe that if my kids weren't so stupid when it comes to computers. My kids can't even print homework out or get on most websites without an adults help. Drives me NUTS!!

Julie - posted on 09/09/2010

That you know of! Hate to tell you but the bigest thing for teens is to have an account under a "code name" that only their friends know. As a middle school teacher I get to hear all the time "how dumb parents are thinking they are frinds with me on face book" best thing is to to but a key logger on the computer that sends you the info so you know

Morgan - posted on 09/09/2010

I agree with Jodi,
I havent gotten that far as my daughter is only 8 months, but when the time comes I will be looking into everything she dose until i Feel she is responsible enough :)

Jodi - posted on 09/09/2010

I have a 13 year old, and I am actually the only one who has his FB password. I am also a friend. In fact so is his grandmother. Of course I keep an eye on it, it is a great way to make sure he keeps it nice :) Honestly, he's a kid, he still needs supervision when on the internet. End of story as far as I'm concerned. I will make a decision one day on when he can go without that supervision....when he earns the trust and when he shows me he can be mature enough.

Sherri - posted on 09/09/2010

I am on my son's FB acct several times a week and never had I had a problem with the language of there friends. I guess I have been lucky so far. If there something I am not sure of as far as conversation I ask right away. I guess the two oldest know they are heavily monitored so they are usually on there best behavior especially on-line.

Muchayiteyi Memory - posted on 09/09/2010

Would you check be a parent who checks their child's posts on Fb and tweeter to see what they are sharing with their friends or is that an invasion of privacy as a parent..

Morgan - posted on 09/09/2010

I am not sure what you question is?