Online Social Networking
Not surprisingly, the rapid proliferation of online social networking websites has presented Christians with newer, faster, and more convenient ways to keep in touch with friends and family. New technology now lets people keep in touch and increase their circle of friends around the clock. Unfortunately, the new technology can't eliminate abuse and danger associated with socializing online. The better social websites require users to approve and accept new friend requests. Still the programs will always expose individuals to information and characters that contradict Bible values and teachings. Users of the many available programs can post updates and photographs of daily activities on their accounts either by computer or telephone. For some internet social networking accounts nothing is off limits. Anything can be posted. Other networking sites have strict rules governing what is appropriate and what is not. Family, school, interests, children, and church activities are popular topics. Networking can also allow a person to extend party invitations to friends if they choose. These types of sites are open to just about anybody with an email account. Very little information is required to sign up. Keep in mind, that online social networking allows just about anyone to monitor another person's activities. That includes work, spouses, church members, and children. So, it's important to set a good example.
Although most websites are geared toward adults, some online social networking sites target teenagers. Actually, there are a few social websites that are designed for pre-teens as young as five or six years old. Christian parents concerned with what their children are doing or who they are socializing with online now have an entirely new set of problems to deal with. Obviously, some websites are not appropriate for young children and internet predators are an ongoing problem. Cyber bullying is a new term many parents may not have heard of, but is a real and serious problem. Threats and intimidation can be difficult for children to handle alone or to even talk about with their parents. But there are methods and techniques concerned parents can use to keep watch over and protect their flock. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Sheppard shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Peter 5:2-4)
One online group concerned with protecting children has posted guidelines for parents. Common sense and oversight are important. Keep the computer the child will be using in a private area of the home so monitoring of activities will be easier. Also, the safety group recommends that parents sign up for the same online social networking sites that their children use. Parents should tell their children that they are using the website. Doing this gives responsible adults a chance to see who the child's circle of friends and casual contacts are. Young children may not know what is appropriate to post online, so parents and guardians must teach then to keep some information private. Full names and addresses should never be posted. Children many not understand that some information may be embarrassing or could expose them to unnecessary harassment, if posted. Actually, some posts could be dangerous. Better online social networking sites allow posted information to be edited and removed from the child's website. Administrators can change privacy and security settings for any account on the computer. As long as the administrator's password is private, other account holders will not be able to adjust the settings. Privacy settings prevent users from accessing certain information and photographs. Violence or sexually explicit material can be blocked out using privacy settings. In fact, specific websites can be blocked completely.
Christian parents are generally interested in teaching strong moral values and ethics. Unfortunately, information posted through online social networking sites may contradict parent's values and Biblical teachings. Review any service a child is interested in before allowing them access. Then set rules concerning computer and online social networking use once the child has registered. Restrict when and where children can access the online networking site. Children are constantly bombarded with new information, words, and concepts. Answer a child's questions as completely as possible. Don't be afraid to use the Bible when responding to a child's concerns or questions. Also, monitor a child's behavior. A sudden or extreme change in any child's behavior can be an indication of a problem. Teach children to trust their instincts. If a child feels something is wrong, they must tell a parent as soon as possible. Computers and the internet have been responsible for new words being introduced into the vocabulary. Cyber bullying is one of those words. Basically, cyber bullying is threats made against a child and posted online. Bullying can be in the form of an email, online social networking message, or instant message and can be anything from starting a rumor to threats of physical harm. According to online sources, it's possible for one person to pose as somebody else and send threats. This action could result in a child being unfairly accused of bullying or starting rumors. Parents must take these threats seriously and notify authorities as soon as possible. Commonsense and constant over sight are the two most important factors in keeping children safe while using internet social networking websites.
Although most websites are geared toward adults, some online social networking sites target teenagers. Actually, there are a few social websites that are designed for pre-teens as young as five or six years old. Christian parents concerned with what their children are doing or who they are socializing with online now have an entirely new set of problems to deal with. Obviously, some websites are not appropriate for young children and internet predators are an ongoing problem. Cyber bullying is a new term many parents may not have heard of, but is a real and serious problem. Threats and intimidation can be difficult for children to handle alone or to even talk about with their parents. But there are methods and techniques concerned parents can use to keep watch over and protect their flock. "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Sheppard shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." (1 Peter 5:2-4)
One online group concerned with protecting children has posted guidelines for parents. Common sense and oversight are important. Keep the computer the child will be using in a private area of the home so monitoring of activities will be easier. Also, the safety group recommends that parents sign up for the same online social networking sites that their children use. Parents should tell their children that they are using the website. Doing this gives responsible adults a chance to see who the child's circle of friends and casual contacts are. Young children may not know what is appropriate to post online, so parents and guardians must teach then to keep some information private. Full names and addresses should never be posted. Children many not understand that some information may be embarrassing or could expose them to unnecessary harassment, if posted. Actually, some posts could be dangerous. Better online social networking sites allow posted information to be edited and removed from the child's website. Administrators can change privacy and security settings for any account on the computer. As long as the administrator's password is private, other account holders will not be able to adjust the settings. Privacy settings prevent users from accessing certain information and photographs. Violence or sexually explicit material can be blocked out using privacy settings. In fact, specific websites can be blocked completely.
Christian parents are generally interested in teaching strong moral values and ethics. Unfortunately, information posted through online social networking sites may contradict parent's values and Biblical teachings. Review any service a child is interested in before allowing them access. Then set rules concerning computer and online social networking use once the child has registered. Restrict when and where children can access the online networking site. Children are constantly bombarded with new information, words, and concepts. Answer a child's questions as completely as possible. Don't be afraid to use the Bible when responding to a child's concerns or questions. Also, monitor a child's behavior. A sudden or extreme change in any child's behavior can be an indication of a problem. Teach children to trust their instincts. If a child feels something is wrong, they must tell a parent as soon as possible. Computers and the internet have been responsible for new words being introduced into the vocabulary. Cyber bullying is one of those words. Basically, cyber bullying is threats made against a child and posted online. Bullying can be in the form of an email, online social networking message, or instant message and can be anything from starting a rumor to threats of physical harm. According to online sources, it's possible for one person to pose as somebody else and send threats. This action could result in a child being unfairly accused of bullying or starting rumors. Parents must take these threats seriously and notify authorities as soon as possible. Commonsense and constant over sight are the two most important factors in keeping children safe while using internet social networking websites.
Online Social Networking
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