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Drug Information

Social Networking

What are social networking sites?

"My parents have not seen myspace… dont show em, its that simple. in these group we discuss the newest and easiet methods of ingestion . . . We talk about legal highs [<em>sic.</em> salvia divinorum among others] and which pills are good.” New Jersey Male, Age 14 <em>(As published by The Washington Post)</em>Social networking sites allow people to gather online around shared interests or causes, like finding people who live nearby or who are in the same age range. These sites allow teens to design their own personalized page on the Internet, much like an interactive scrapbook, that can include their favorite music clips, their choice of background designs or “wallpaper,” photos, favorite quotes and any other information about themselves – and anyone else – that they wish to include. Users can also set up blogs (online public journals), a friend network and messages centers. It’s very easy to put a lot of information online, and savvy teens can accomplish this in just a few minutes, sometimes without appreciating the risks they may be taking when they do.

Social networking sites are becoming more and more mainstream and according to Nielsen//NetRatings reach 45 percent of active Web users. Some of the most popular social networking sites for teens include MySpace, Facebook, and Bebo.

To learn more about the top teen social sites, click here>>

Why do teens love these sites?

These sites expose teens to the world. They enable teens to access people living anywhere in the U.S. or in foreign countries, as well as their peers from school. It’s a place where they can create and showcase who they are and also keep tabs on all of their friends. Unless under a hidden view or setting, profile pages are open for all to see. But most of all, teens love social networking sites because it’s their space. There is a sense of empowerment attached to controlling a piece of their own world… and this is typically a world where parents are not present.

What do all these abbreviations mean?

People who live in the world of social networking, instant messaging, and text messaging, namely teens, have created a whole new Internet language, or net lingo. If you have the need or occasion to check your teen’s Facebook profile, IM account, or cell phone text messages, it’s important that you’re savvy about the shortened language they use, and can understand its meaning. You’ll be able to tell if they are hiding something or exchanging inappropriate information.

Not sure if you want to be that nosy?

Remember, you are the parent and your teen needs you to be an active part of his/her life. While computers and technology offer wonderful ways to stay connected, they can also create a dangerous playground, complete with people who do not have the best intentions. Act as if the computer is your home phone line. Would you let your teen talk to people that are not known to you? Would you let your teen spend hours in conversations with several people at a time without knowing the main purpose of all those calls? If you answer “No”, then you ought to consider their online friends and IM contacts the same way. Know who is contacting your child, when, and what is the general reason for the contact.

What are the dangers and advantages that parents should be aware of?

Dangers:

  • Many of the sites have age requirements, but teens often get around those limits. By doing that, they enter a world that is intended for adults who are 18 or older. When your teen is involved in these sites, it is often a portal into an adult world that you many not want them to have. They can be exposed to pornography, forms of sexual activity that you find abhorrent, discussions about drug use and alcohol parties, and many other themes that they may not be ready for. You can consider these sites wide open instructional sites for all the good and bad characteristics and activities of people around the world.
  • All too often, many teens do not set sensible limits for how much information to share. They put themselves in danger by giving out too much personal information and communicating with strangers online.
  • Due to the anonymity of social networking sites, teens can develop a false sense of security, making them vulnerable to enticement to meet strangers in person.
  • Youth are more readily exposed to inappropriate content, misinformation about drugs, identity theft and even cyberbullying Thank you for visiting theantidrug.com. You are now leaving the site. The Office of National Drug Control Policy is not responsible for the content or information gathering practices of other websites you are linking to..
  • Some teens post inappropriate content, such as pictures from a drinking party, postings about taking drugs, real or invented sexual activity, or gossip about school peers. These kinds of behaviors can have serious consequences, like expulsion from school or difficulty later in life when the sites are reviewed by prospective employers or college admission officers. Such postings can also escalate when others, including adult predators posing as teens, respond with something even more “daring” and challenging.

Advantages:

  • Adolescence is a time for exploration and experimentation. Social networking sites offer a forum for teens to express themselves in creative ways, allowing them to try on different hats.
  • For shy teens or those who don’t have many friends, social networking sites can provide an outlet to meet other kids their own age who have similar interests.
  • These sites can help parents gain a sense of who their teen really is and how they perceive themselves.

When should you suspect your teen is getting into trouble?

If you know your teen has a personal homepage, especially through a social networking site, but you don’t have any idea what is on it, check it out. Make sure that your teen has a homepage only if it is allowed for minors. Listen to what music and look at video clips your teen downloads or simply lists as his/her favorites. If any includes suggestive language about drugs and alcohol, or promotes dangerous behaviors, such as casual sex, violence, or drinking and driving, let this be a red flag. Check out the friends in their network and see what they are posting on their sites. If your teen’s friends have pictures of themselves at parties and everyone has a beer in their hand, chances are your teen has been to similar events. There may also be cause for alarm if your teen spends an inordinate amount of time online or e-mailing friends, seems secretive about his/her online activities or if the computer screen goes blank every time you walk by.

What are some ways you can protect teens when they are online?

Know what the consequences are if your teen posts something that is inappropriate on his personal page. Don’t be afraid to tell your child what could happen to him in the long term.

  1. Require that the computer/laptop remain in an open area inside your home, with the monitor visible to others passing through, rather than in your teen’s bedroom. Be aware that cell phones and other hand-held digital devices now allow access to the Internet.
  2. Talk to your kids about why they are on a social networking site(s), how they communicate with others Thank you for visiting theantidrug.com. You are now leaving the site. The Office of National Drug Control Policy is not responsible for the content or information gathering practices of other websites you are linking to. and how they represent themselves on these sites.
  3. Social networking sites and forums are PUBLIC spaces. Make it clear to your teen that any information they post about themselves, their family or their friends is open for the world to see, including photos and videos. Discuss what is safe to post, as well as what isn’t.
  4. Communicate the dangers and consequences of posting inappropriate or too much personal information. Monitor who their “friends” are online and make sure they are people your teen already knows. If your teen wants to add a new person, set a rule that new people have to be cleared through you BEFORE being accepted as an online friend. If the rule is broken, enforce a meaningful consequence like cutting off the computer privilege for a week or two.
  5. Review your teen’s Web page or blog together and make this a regular activity, so they aren’t tempted to add inappropriate content after the fact.
  6. Be consistent with setting rules and be specific about rules pertaining to alcohol and substance abuse references on your teen’s Web pages. Make sure they know that this is not acceptable behavior and that consequences can have a long-term impact on their future successes.

For advice on how to open the conversation about general computer use and how much time your teen is spending online, visit TheAntiDrug.com’s “Conversations for Parents: My Teen is Lost in Cyberspace.” 

If you need extra help monitoring your teen’s activities online, like filtering software, then visit “Monitoring Tools” for additional suggestions.

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