Sage-Tips

Is it OK for my child to have online friends?

Not necessarily. Kids’ online friends are typically pals from school, sports, or other groups they’re involved in. In fact, kids often strengthen their real-world friendships by connecting online. Make sure your kids set privacy settings that prevent people they don’t know from contacting them.

Is it okay for teens to have online friends?

They can find their ‘people’ If your teen has had trouble finding their ‘people’, online friends can provide the mateship and support lacking in their daily lives. There’s no better feeling than being included and the internet is a great place for teens to experience that.

Is meeting an online friend a good idea?

“It can be an awesome idea, but you have to be strategic on who you do this with,” psychologist Leanne Hall says. “You’ve got to make sure that they are just as interested as you are … and they are who they say they are.” We spoke to a few people who have met their internet friends IRL for their advice.

Should parents let their kids have privacy?

When teens are given the privacy they need, it helps them become more independent and builds their self-confidence. As their parent, strive to strike a balance between knowing what your teen is doing, trusting your teen to have some private matters, and knowing when to step in. 5 Overall, just trust your instincts.

Is it wrong to talk to people online?

Is it okay to talk to strangers online? It’s perfectly fine to talk with strangers online, as long as you stick to the common sense safety rules. The easiest way to keep safe is to establish commonalities in a more “public” online space before moving to a private chat.

Is it safe to text a stranger?

Texting strangers is typically not a safe activity, as a great deal of personal information can be gleaned from a simple phone number.

Is it bad for kids to make online friends?

Not necessarily. Kids’ online friends are typically pals from school, sports, or other groups they’re involved in. In fact, kids often strengthen their real-world friendships by connecting online.

Why do parents and teens have different ideas about online friendships?

“You’re taking your son to meet … wait … who?” Teens and parents have different views of online friendships because they have different ideas of what socializing should look like, says danah boyd (who doesn’t capitalize her name), author of “It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens.”

Should kids be allowed to be part of online communities?

However, plenty of kids belong to certain online communities — such as those related to Minecraft, LEGO, and the Hunger Games — where they don’t know the real identities of the other members. That may be fine, since online groups such as these often are bonded by a common purpose and don’t bother engaging in negative behavior.

Should you monitor your child’s Internet use?

But here goes: As parents, we should never routinely monitor our child’s internet use. We shouldn’t browse through social media accounts, read their texts or emails, use a tracking device on a child, track their cellphone, monitor their text messages, or track their location.