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• Today's MySpace-Loving Teens: Perhaps Not So Dumb?

  Ah, MySpace. The bane of many parents’ existence. The site’s gotten an arguably deserved bad rap, thanks to its penchant for attracting all sorts of unsavory characters. But like it or not, “social networking” sites like MySpace and Facebook are here to stay, and have even spawned similar sites such as LinkedIn for professional adults who are looking to build their own business-related networks.   Personally, I can’t help but wonder if we’re worrying a bit too much about the teenage love for MySpace. Cooper Munroe talked to three teenagers, all girls in high school, about the role that the Internet and social networking sites play in their lives. All three come across as smart and appreciative of their parents’ concern. They provide some interesting takes on some of the positive aspects of such sites (“The cool thing about the Internet is that anyone you meet online will have few preconceived notions about you.”). They’re smart about the stuff they post to such sites. And they seem to recognize that virtual friends are no substitute for those found in “the real world”. Sounds like their parents are doing a good job. Posted Feb 20 2007, 01:32 PM by JasonAvant with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: parenting, teens, teenagers, internet, MySpace, tech, techology, internet safety, parenting issues

• "Bluetooth Parents" Need to Hang Up the Phone

  I can't tell you how many nannies and mommies I see at the park with cell phone earbuds and Bluetooth hookups attached to their ears. "Hang on, hang on, Lizzie's swinging and I've got to get her down ...." Of course, the conversation could go like this: "I'll call you back; Lizzie's swinging." Sadly, it never does. I'm not the only one who finds it annoying. Jenny Blackburn at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's "Adventures in Parenting" blog calls them "Bluetooth Parents" -- that elite cadre of men and women who feel "compelled" to look like crazy insane homeless people who chat with themselves. OK, I made that last part up -- but I do think they look silly. Still, Jenny wonders, why do people wear them even when not in use? Good question. It's almost spring (hope, dear god, hope), so hang up the phone and enjoy that childhood fresh spring day with the kids. Posted Feb 19 2007, 01:57 PM by Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) with | with 4 comment(s) Filed under: kids, mommy blogs, behavior, cell phones, tech, techology, mommies, bluetooth parents, seattle post-intelligencer, park

• MySpace to Alert Users of Missing Children

  Popular online social network MySpace, likely reacting to last week's lawsuit filed by the families of five teenaged sexual abuse victims, has agreed to join with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in issuing MySpace AMBER alerts to U.S users in certain regions.  Despite the study mentioned right here on Babble that claims otherwise, MySpace seems to suddenly feel the need to improve its online safety program, or possibly to take steps to avoid coughing up a really really big settlement. At any rate the online alerts, appearing in a small text box at the top of a user profile, will be part of "an expansion of plans to expand safeguards for users."  AMBER alerts are a program between the media and local law enforcement agencies that issues early warning broadcast bulletins in serious child abduction cases.  As part of the safeguard expansion plan, MySpace also will now require all new members to register with a valid e-mail address.  My question:  what were users registering with before?  More than half of the country's teenagers use this and other similar services, and MySpace only just now thought of this?  Posted Jan 23 2007, 02:14 PM by Karen Murphy with | with no comments Filed under: teenagers, internet, MySpace, missing children, AMBER alert, techology