Social Networking

Social networking describes a variety of services like Facebook, YouTube, World of Warcraft, Moshi Monsters and MySpace. Social Networking technologies enable direct interaction between individuals. Users can post information about themselves, display photos, tell people what they’ve been up to, chat and play games.

While social networking offers many benefits, there are risks. Sometimes children can forget who they are communicating with online and who might see the information they post. It can be easier for children and teens to say and do things online that they might not do offline. It can also be easier to talk to strangers online than it is offline, and they may confide too much in people they don’t know well.

It is important that children understand the risks associated with disclosing information about themselves online and know how to manage both their privacy and online ‘friends’.

Safer Social Networking - tips for
parents of young children
(PDF)

Safer Social Networking - tips for
parents of older children
(PDF)

Safer Social Networking - tips for
parents of teenagers (PDF)

Socialising on the Internet - a guide for parents

Click on the image to view the guide.

The following video might be useful for parents as a discussion focus around the issue of on-line social networking:

Easy Guide to Socialising Online

The Australian Government's Easy Guide to Socialising Online provides information on how internet users can protect themselves and their information when using ....