Post: MySpace and Seventeen Join Forces for Internet Safety
MySpace and Seventeen Join Forces for Internet Safety
MySpace is joining with parnters, including Seventeen magazine, in "a nationwide effort to educate Internet users about safe online practices."
Well, hmmm. Whether you think that MySpace creators are really concerned with your kids' safety or just trying to cover themselves -- and whether you think that Seventeen editor-in-chief Atoosa Rubenstein, who's been known to say things like " I feel like I want to start starving myself so I can wear those clothes now," is the best spokesperson for anything teen related -- we've got to say that teaching kids (and parents) Internet safety is always a good idea.
In fact, we are so concerned about Internet safety that we launched our own campaign -- way back in July. You can download our guide for free on our site. Or read on for tips from Atoosa, which actually aren't too bad.
Seventeen magazine’s editor-in-chief, Atoosa Rubenstein, includes the following teen safety tips in the Parents’ Guide to Internet Safety:
- Be Careful--Unless your profile is set to private, anyone can check it out. You should never post personal information such as your phone number, address, school, or where you regularly hang out. If you wouldn't share it with a creepy stranger on the street, don't post it on MySpace. Remember that the Internet is a public place and you should think about what you share.
- Be Skeptical--We may have an idea of who someone is or why they're messaging us, but the truth is, when we're online we should be a little more skeptical. As you're connecting with people, get to know them first before adding them to your friends list. Only add the people that you want to see your profile, check out your friends and view your photos.
- Be Picky--We all want to share funny things we've done with friends, but once you post something online it can live in cyberspace forever. Before you post an image or comment, take a minute to consider if it's something that might haunt you in a few years--imagine a potential boss or college recruiter is doing a search on you. Don't blow your opportunities for tomorrow just to be cute or outrageous today.
- Be a Good Online Citizen--MySpace is a place where everyone should feel welcome. If you see hate speech or inappropriate content, or if you're being harassed by another user, talk to your parents and report it to MySpace immediately. Think of this as a great, new neighborhood we ALL want to keep safe.
- Be Real--MySpace is a community and you get out of it what you put in. Use common sense and think about what behavior is ok and what's not cool for the community. The more respectful you are to others, the better the site is for everyone. If you disrespect the community by posting fake profiles or lying about your age, you'll be removed--no exceptions.