Is Your Teen Sharing Private Information Online?

Guess what? I don't want to know if you are gay or straight, whether or not you color your hair, how often you have sex, or even what brand of deodorant you use. And, unless you are unusually curious, I don't think you want to know those things about me, either.

Lately, there has been a big push to get young people (and older peope, too) to start social blogs on sites like U-Tube and MySpace. If you go to one of these sites, you will find that a large majority of the blogs that appear there revolve around the writer; what he or she likes, wants, does, etc.

We have all seen the misuse of some of these blogs--like the young girl who commited suicide because of the harrassment she received on such a site.

Other blogs are filled with pose after suggestive pose of half-naked young girls who are hoping to---what? Attract a boyfriend? Show others she has a sexy body? Or just do what she thinks everyone else is doing?

Another thing that bothers me about these blogs are the ones
where young (and not so young) people are encouraged to state their sexual orientation. While they may not be ashamed of it, have they given any thought to the fact that a future prospective employer, even though tolerant of different orientations, might prefer not to hire an employee who enjoys sharing what should be his or her private business with the whole world?

I know that some of you are thinking that if I don't like it, I can just not look at the blogs. True, but if the parents of young people all take that attitude, is there any limit to what their kids are going to be exposed to?

If you have kids, why not take a few minutes to sit down with them and look through a few of the thousands of available blogs, discussing what you see there with them. Point out some of the pitfalls there--maybe they will even discover some of their own.

Then, before you let them sign up for a blog of their own, set down a few rules.

1. If they are under 16, insist on a private blog where only close friends will have access.

2. Under no circumstances should personal information ever appear on their blog.

3. They should never post inappropiate material. (This includes sexy pictures, foul langage, hateful comments, and gossip.)

4. Insist on access to your child's blog--and use it frequently. (If they protest that it is like their private diary, tell them that nothing is private online--including their blog.)