Social networking

How can I make it safer?

Review the "Terms of use" for the social networking site children are interested in joining to ensure that children meet the age requirements to use the service.
Assist with the creation of online profiles when children join social networking or gaming sites. Only fill in what is necessary, leaving out identifying or revealing information. Make sure you know the child's login information and email addresses. What username or character names has the child given her/himself? Does it provide identifying characteristics about her/him or her/his hobbies (e.g. shygirl, bookworm, etc.)?
Monitor webcam use and any posting or exchanging of pictures online.
Check children's files in "My Pictures" to see what images are being sent, received, and saved by children.

Set the expectation that you will monitor children's online activities, as the Internet is a public place.
Explain to children that pictures should not be sent or posted online without parental permission — once sent, control over what happens to the pictures is lost.
Reinforce the idea that not everyone is who they say they are online. People can pretend to be older or younger than they actually are.
Explain to children that they should trust their instincts and block or ignore someone if the individual asks questions online that seem "weird" (i.e. questions about puberty, sex, etc.).
Talk to children about friendship: what it is and isn't.
Explain to children that online chatting needs to be adult-supervised.
Explain to children that it's illegal to threaten someone, and that they should tell a safe adult if threatened online.