As a public commuter I try to read or blog on my bus ride home. On a recent trip home, I turned to an article in Money magazine. The article provided a number of tips to help children make better moves on Facebook to avoid financial problems.
As I read the article, I noticed the person in front of me was looking at Facebook on their iPhone. Someone else across from me was also on their iPhone and I can only imagine they were on Facebook. As Money mentions, Facebook has become the social network. I don’t have to tell you it has become an increasingly large part of everyone’s life as they connect and communicate with their friends online. 
Let’s take a look at some of the tips Money mentions to help protect your kids.
Avoid Posting Too Much Personal Information
Warn your kids against providing too much personal information. Information, such as a full birthday can be used in fraudulent activity or identify theft. A good way to manage against fraud is to have your kids limit their profiles to where only friends can see their information.
Watchout for spending problems
You need to pay attention to the little purchases on your credit card (assuming you have approved your child to use yours for an online spending allowance) that can add up over time. Kids can purchase virtual items or credits on Facebook and these purchases can be linked to your credit card or a PayPal account. The advice in the article is sound in that parents should remind children that online purchases should work the same as in the real world. Mom and Dad have to approve spending.
Avoid posting inappropriate photos
Finally, more and more employers are using social networks to conduct background checks. Remind your children of what is appropriate and not appropriate to post online. Don’t let them post pictures of parties, drinking or obviously with any sexual content.
It’s important to remember the world we live in today is different and children may not fully understand the consequences of their actions which may hurt them in getting a job, identify theft or result in spending issues.
What has been your experience with Facebook? Has it had any negative consequences on your children’s lives from a job or financial perspective?
Source: Money, December 2010
Photo by marcopako.
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