Teen Culture: Myspace or Yours
Should Parents Let Teenagers Have a Myspace?
Myspace is the largest internet social networking site. Is it appropriate for teens?
You’ve heard all about it. Who’s in your “Top 8 Friends” and how important that can be to teens. But what does it mean to parents? Well, if you’re the parent of a teen, it might be a good idea to explore the world of Myspace, because millions of teens have certainly found their way onto the site and the phenomenon isn’t going anywhere.
What is Myspace?
Myspace is a social networking site where people can create a profile, write blogs, play music, exchange photos, messages, bulletins and other postings, and generally stay in touch with people in their circle of friends. Members can decorate backgrounds, personalizing them with their own individual style preferences.
Let Them Join?
To let them join, or not let them join? For younger teens, parents are advised to create an account of their own. This way, they can visit their teen’s page and be sure everything is OK (posted pictures, music and messages are appropriate, etc.) Be sure teens set their profile to ‘private’ which means only their designated friends can see their page. By being a member themselves, parents can see who their teens' friends are.
Is It Safe?
Safety is actually a high priority at Myspace. Read more about them here. Tips for teens, parents and educators are listed, along with more safety resources and information. The website takes allegations of inappropriate conduct very seriously, and will ban users for not obeying rules.
Myspace as Communication Tool
If your teen is going to be spending time on Myspace, you may as well see it as an opportunity to communicate with them. Requiring younger teens to include a parent as a “Top Friend” causes their other friends to realize a parent is participating and makes it less likely for inappropriate behaviors to take place. Teens will balk at first at the idea of Mom or Dad appearing in their Top 12, but will make the accommodation if it means they are able to use the site. Being able to send message, picture comments and other Myspace features is just another way to keep in touch with your teenager in their own realm- not always an easy task for parents.
Additional Information
Parents who want to learn more about Myspace can buy the book Myspace Unraveled: What It Is and How to Use it Safely (Peachpit Press, Berkeley, Calif., August 2006) by Larry Magid and Anne Collier for only $10.64. The book is a guide for parents to demystify the world’s largest online social networking site and help decide whether Myspace is appropriate for their teen.
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