Cyber Parenting

Should you "friend" your kid?

In today's world of bullying, cyber-bullying has taken the forefront. And there's a good chance your child won't tell you about it. Many of them admit they would NOT tell their parents if they were being bullied, for fear of having that gadget restricted or taken away.

Ideally, your child will friend you, or give you access to their account, so you can keep an eye on things. You're bound to see things you don't like, but being a technically silent source of support can be most effective. Try explaining to your child that having a parent as a friend online can actually deter bullies, and that you'll handle anything you are concerned about offline.

For serious concerns, there are paid services that provide tools to track references, photos, and web sites containing your child's name. If you notice your child or someone they know purposely misspelling or changing their names, it could be an attempt to protect their online identity, or it could be a red flag.