Digital Footprints???

With 400 million+ users, Facebook is a social force unlike anything parents have faced before. Parents have a vital role to play in providing guidance to teenagers as they play on this digital playground....whether you feel comfortable or not on Facebook.

A "digital footprint" refers to all your interactions, information and transactions that take place in cyberspace. You’ve surely heard the horror stories about college admissions offers, employers etc. seeing things on the internet that reflect poorly on young people… so clearly teenagers need guidance. And who will they look to for this guidance? It better be us. Who else has their long term best interest in mind? BUT, if you feel Facebook is overwhelming, you are not alone. And even if you are relatively comfortable on Facebook, it is daunting the way it changes so frequently.

Sue Blaney is the author of a popular parenting and teen blog and website-Please Stop the Roller Coaster .(www.PleaseStoptheRollercoaster.com.) In a recent article, she offers great information and sources for educating ourselves about Facebook . Facebook Guide for Parents* is an up-to-date, in-depth, hands-on tool that will be a life-saver for parents as we try to guide our teens on Facebook, Guide them so that they are properly safeguarded. Blaney states, "There are good reasons why you need the help offered in this guide…"

Here are just some of areas to consider:

Do you want to allow strangers to "friend" your child?

Who do you want to be allowed to send private messages to your child?

Who should be able to see your child’s photo albums?

What are your options if somebody tags your child in a photo that you want removed?

Do you feel comfortable with your child announcing her relationship status across Facebook?

Do you feel okay with your child’s list of friends showing up publicly?

What if you want to remove a post - do you know how?

The Facebook Guide for Parents comes in several contemporary formats - downloadable and in hardcopy - that guide you as you walk through the process. Profile, settings and activities- one by one, so you can understand the impact of the choices your teenager makes. It is a step-by-step instruction manual that is accompanied by 12 short (5 minutes or less) video tutorials to visually guide you. In addition to providing guidance on the ins-and-outs of the privacy settings, the authors provide instruction on the basics:

how to set up your profile

how to upload pictures and videos

how to find friends and organize them… and much more.

Facebook Guide for Parents saw a big disconnect between what kids are doing online and what their parents know about the process. The only way a parent can guide a child intelligently on Facebook is to be present there… and many parents are somewhere between woefully behind and somewhat confused. This guide will get you where you want to go… and keep you up to date as things change. Parents must be sure their teens are making good and safe choices for their digital footprint. chrissie