Facebook

I never had intentions of becoming a regular Facebook user. Now that I have a Facebook page, I've had a great time reconnecting with some old friends and keeping in touch with people I talk with regularly. I never would have imagined which friends I would meet up with. I guess it's important to be nice to everyone in Jr. High & High School, because you'll reconnect with them on Facebook.

Parents, your kids likely have a Facebook page. Have you asked them? Do you have one yourself? Have you talked about Internet safety with them? Now is the time. Here's some advice from Common Sense Media to get you up to speed.

WATCH A SHORT VIDEO HERE.

It only takes a moment to learn.

Facebook. Our teens love it. We hear lots of negative things about it -- the sex, the bad behavior, the drinking pictures, the irresponsibility. And all that stuff can be there. But Facebook can also be a great way for kids to stay in touch with their friends and showcase their interests (and have fun). Take a look at our 90 second video because it will help you learn the essentials for creating your own page. Once you do that, you can ask your kids to link to you. Even if they don't, there's nothing like understanding how something works to lessen our anxieties. Read our review, watch the video, then have fun exploring.

Tips for "friending" on Facebook

Start with your kids' age. If they're in middle school, it may be a sound policy to know what they're posting, since kids that age don't necessarily understand that they're creating a digital footprint that will long outlast the passions of the moment.

Talk to your high school-aged teens about whether or not they're comfortable letting you friend them. Many will be. This is a case of "know your kid," and it comes down to trust. But establish rules: No drug talk, no nudity, no pictures of drinking, no hate speech, no bullying, and no posting party locations -- all of these lead to ruin. Most of all, remind your teens that whatever they post will be in the cyberworld forever. (Keep watching Facebook's Terms of Service, by the way, since a recent -- and almost as recently recanted -- update said that the company owned everything anyone posted forever.)

Don't fill your kids' pages with your comments. As it is, simply having parents is mortifying enough at this age. Their friends don't need evidence of your existence (and you can always send them private messages).

Don't friend your kids' friends. See reasons above.

Remember: They can see what you post. If you're a friend, also be a role model. Keep your nose clean.

Choose your battles. You will see the good, the bad, and the truly unfathomable. If you don't want your kids to unfriend you, don't comment on every transgression. Keep it general.

Remember, you're the parent. Even if you aren't your kids' Facebook "friend," your job is still to pass your values along to them and to help them learn how to be safe and responsible on or offline.

Note- After reading these tips, I did go in and adjust my own privacy settings. Also, the Arizona Family Council will be coming soon to a Facebook near you.