If You Can’t Say Something Nice to My Facebook…

 

Today's youth, better known in the tech world as "digital natives," have learned to use technology in both positive and negative ways. For instance, social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook offer teens the opportunity to socialize with their online "friends" and express creativity in their profiles. Social networkers also utilize a variety of applications to spice up their pages. One such application, Facebook's "Honesty Box," has received some negative press lately due to its use as a weapon of choice for cyberbullies.

 

Essentially, the "Honesty Box" allows users to anonymously post whatever they want on their friends' pages. Unfortunately, what was intended to be a light-hearted activity between friends has become a cyberbullying tool, resulting in mean and sometimes threatening messages to users. Perhaps this trend will inspire the old adage: If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all.

Gangs

Warning signs for parents of the several possible gang involvement indicators:

• Changes in manner of dress (child always wears the same colors)
 
• Use of nicknames
 
• Dropping old friends and activities and making new ones
 
• Use of slang
 
• Possession of unexpectedly large sums of money, jewellery and new clothing
 
• Possession of weapons
 
• Tattoos
 
• Can’t account for their whereabouts when asked

• Truancy

• Mood swings and the use of hand signs and graffiti

 

• Know where your child is at all times
 
• Enforce a curfew
 
• Check for weapons and drugs in your child’s bedroom
 
• Form a neighborhood watch program in your area
 
• Show affection and support for your child or a gang will
 
• Develop some type of responsibility in your child
 
• Don’t always point out your child’s failures
 
• Make them feel good about themselves
 
• If your child is doing poorly at school, understand that it could be your fault
 
• Become more active in school functions
 
• Take a strong stand against gangs
 
• Show love to your child
 
• Keep an open line of communication with your child, and at all costs notify the local police of any rumors of upcoming gang violence