A brief but informative article about cyberbullying and MySpace.

Some say, "What you don't know won't hurt you." Don't believe them. Social networking via the Internet has changed the rules--not unnecessarily for the better-- and we'd all better get in the know. Candice M. Kelsey, author of Generation MYSPACE, gives ample warning: "MySpace is at the front lines of redefining today's teenager . . . In this parent-free zone, every teen can pretend to be anything or anyone they want." That's not for the better, either.

Some stats from her book, gleaned from several surveys: 87% of 12-17-year-olds are Internet users, and 50% go online daily. 29% of surveyed students said their parents or guardians would disapprove if they knew what they were doing on the Internet. 64% of online teens say that most teens do things online that they wouldn't want their parents to know about. 33% of 13-17-year-olds, and 48% of 16-17-year- olds report that their parents or guardians know "very little" or "nothing" about what they do on the Internet.

Kelsey's advice? Sign up on MySpace yourself, creating a profile and then logging on once a day for a week. You'll see kids giving out personal information, topless teenie boppers, sexual acts, and other hair-raising sights. Oh, yes, MySpace is also haven to all manner of bullies who harass, threaten, impersonate, denigrate, exclude, and even post private or embarrassing information. Log on and be informed, so you can engage your child in a dialogue about the risks and benefits of connecting socially on the Internet. www.ct.gov/ag offers an easy-to-follow guide to creating your own MySpace profile. Be sure to also visit these helpful sites:

www.stopbullyingnow.com www.iSafe.org www.VirtualMysteryTour.com