Comments on AskMeanMom.com: Kids want My Space accounts

I think it's not a good idea to ban Myspace. Forbi...

2009-02-09T06:42:00.000-05:00

I think it's not a good idea to ban Myspace. Forbidden fruit is sweetest you know. They still will be looing for a way to manage it. Personally, I allow to spend time on MySpace only when I’m at home. I built software Ez Internet Timer to set time limits on the kids' Internet activity in case I’m out. I think that it’s very important to havу a healthy relationship with your children and spend time with them while they’re online and educate them about Internet safety. It will go much further in keeping your child safe online.

As parents, we have the right, and responsibility,...

2007-07-30T18:56:00.000-04:00

As parents, we have the right, and responsibility, to tell our kids NO when we feel it is in their best interests. They may, or may not, disobey. We deal with that if or when it happens. Because they might do something despite our NO, doesn't mean that we equivocate. We can explain our reasons, sure. This is a good teaching moment. We can say NO and give our reasons.

Thanks for reading and for your comments.

Julie Clark aka
The Mean Mom
Love you kids enough to NO them!

In a perfect world, telling your kids NO works. U...

2007-07-26T14:50:00.000-04:00

In a perfect world, telling your kids NO works. Unfortunately, our world is not quite so perfect. Kids go to friends houses and even to the public library, coffee shops, and so many other places - and can use those computers to sign up on MYSPACE and others.

I find it more important and useful, especially when concerning tweens and teens, to explain what is going on, why you dont want them to have such things, the dangers involved, why you feel so emphatic about your opinion, etc. and be sure the lines of communication are open.

You cannot be with your children every minute of the day, and certainly cannot control everything they do. I have found that the best defense is honesty and openness. Teach your children rules, manners and ethics, and when it comes to it, they will make the right choices.

I have three boys- 25, 21 and 18. All are very involved in the computer world and have been since my oldest was 4, two of them have professional careers in the computer industry.