Social Networking Websites

What are the risks?

An adolescent may engage in private conversations and share personal information, unaware of the lasting consequences. Once personal information, photos and/or videos are sent online, the sender’s control over what happens to the information, photos and/or videos is lost, and the outcomes can be devastating.
An adolescent may send nude images to peers without understanding that the images can be forwarded or permanently posted online.
An adolescent may accept friend requests from individuals they have not met in person.

Adults with a sexual interest in youth target social networking sites where children/adolescents are encouraged to create online diaries and connect with new people.
Adults looking to victimize adolescents quickly turn conversations sexual, asking personal questions about puberty and development.
An adolescent may be bullied by peers or other users on social networking sites.
An adolescent may be stalked by peers or other users of social networking sites.