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With the resurgence of Attachment Parenting and helicopter moms (continuously hovering), I am shocked at how we are in denial about the dangers of social networking for our kids. I know moms who wore their babies, who stayed at home with their kids, who wouldn't allow babysitters for fear of predators and now they seem to turn a blind eye to their kids' social networking habits.
Case in point: I know a mom who allowed her 11 year old daughter to develop a Facebook page. Now, I was once an 11 year old girl who was coincidentially boy crazy, and I am quite sure if left to my own devices I would have spent every waking hour on Facebook had it existed. This mom is one of the most consciencious moms I know and I would and have trusted my own childrens' lives to her. Out of curiosity I did a Facebook search on her daughter and her profile was public. Not only that, there were pictures of her in a swim suit and various dance poses. As a dancer and a dancer's mother, I am sure they think nothing of it. However, I make a living as a mental health therapist for abused kids. So, I see things a little differently. There are too many freaks out there (non-clinical term) who spend countless hours combing the internet for pictures just like this.
Another case in point: I have friends who have a 4 year old daughter. They continuously put pictures on Facebook of her without shirts. I really think this is poor judgement. While it may be cute and innocent in your house, it can be disturbingly different to the millions of people who can see her picture.
Let's also not forget that anything posted on the internet never disappears. Don't set your kids up like that.
So, of course I had to say something to these parents whom I love dearly. I feel confident that I did it in a gentle and loving way. Both times the parents merely said "thanks" and kept on doing what they were doing.
Ironically (or maybe not) as I write this there is a story on Nancy Grace about a 13 year old girl who has been missing for a week after she had been Facebooking who she thought was a 14 year old boy. Surprise! Turns out he was a predator.
Let's do a better job of protecting our kids. The world has changed from prank calls and TPing houses. Bad things can actually happen to your kids. I think if you are turning a blind eye to their behaviors, you are responsible for putting them at risk. Yes, I know teens are sneaky (so was I). I am not talking about that. Isn't this contributing to the delinquency of a minor??
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