Not new by any means, but this was part of Microsoft`s latest updates newsletter by way of a reminder..

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/fam...es/social.mspx

Published: November 9, 2006
Social Networking Web Site Safety

You may already know that blogging—keeping a public "Web log" or personal journal online—is common among teens and even younger kids.

Now kids can also create personal Web pages on social networking Web sites hosted by services like Windows Live Spaces, MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, and others. These Web pages can often be viewed by anyone with access to the Internet.

With these services, which are extremely popular among teenagers, kids can fill out profiles that can include:
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Photos
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Videos
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Personal information such as full names, locations, and cell phone numbers

Often the services that host the social networking sites provide several different ways for people to communicate with one another, including blogging and instant messaging features.

Kids use social networking sites to connect with kids who might live halfway around the world and with kids whom they pass every day in the hallways at school.

Social networking can provide a helpful way for kids to express their emotions or even to perform unofficial background checks on other kids they meet at parties and at school. For example, after they meet another kid in person, a kid might visit that other kid's Web site to find out if he or she might be someone they'd like to be friends with.

Unfortunately, the information that kids post on their pages can also make them vulnerable to predators.

Here are several ways you can help your kids can use social networking Web sites more safely.

Read more...

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