Social networking is when individuals set specific groups for themselves in a particular community or neighborhood. Although it may be possibly done in person, social networking is most popular online.
Because millions of people resort to the internet for meeting other users and developing connections, friendships and business relationships with other people, social networking attracted so many people including the young ones.
But is it safe for teens to engage in social networking given that they are actually interacting with people they barely know and are total strangers to them?
For a safer social networking experience especially for the teenagers, this article will give you the ways and techniques on how to be safe with social networking.
Be nice online
Treat everybody else the way you want to be treated. Keep a nice attitude online. Usually, the ones who are aggressive and act nasty online have a greater chance of being harassed themselves.
Be careful of what you are posting
Social sites provide a place where you can posts photos or blogs and other details about yourself. See to it that you do not post provocative ones online as well as very personal details so as to avoid problems later on such as people using your information against you. Remember that you are sharing your information with a lot of people and sometimes, even to strangers so be very careful with what you are posting.
Read between the lines
The Internet is a fun place to check out new people and building friendships or perhaps, romance. But beware that while some people act really nice to you, there are also those who act nice only because they want to get something from you. For instance, sending you flattering messages can mean that they want to take advantage of you than just building a good relationship with you.
Avoid meeting up
In order to avoid physical harm, do not meet the person. If you really have to meet someone you met online, then the best way to avoid being harmed is to bring along a few friends with you. It is also safer to meet in public places.
While social networking can be a diversion for stress or boredom, it is still important that we know our limitations as we give out personal details. We should be aware that while it is a fun way to meet new people and build good relationships with them over the internet, it can also be a venue for harassment, violence and injury if we do not abide by certain guidelines to achieve a safer social networking experience. We should be cautious enough… after all we’ve got nothing to lose.
Vanessa Arellano Doctor
http://conbuzz.com
Tags: Facebook, Friendster, Internet, Internet Networking, Myspace, Networking, Social Networking, Teens
