WWW.FACEBOOK.COM
What is facebook and how did it get started?
Facebook is a social networking website that is free to all student users. It began in 2004 by a group of students at Harvard. By the end of its first year, having spread to hundreds of colleges across the country the registered users exceeded one million.
In August, 2005 they began to include high school students into the Facebook network. At the end of 2005, over 2,000 colleges around the world and 25,000 high schools had access to Facebook, bringing the number of users to over 7 million and is said to be the 7th most trafficked site in the U.S.
Students that have a valid e-mail address from the 2,000 colleges and 25,000 high schools that are supported by Facebook, have the ability to set up their own profile. Once a profile is set up, alumni, faculty and staff at their school have access to it. Students can give permission for other friends from schools across the country, to view their profile as well.
For parents that are not given access to their child’s profile….. Important things you should know!!!
The information that your child lists about him/herself on their profile:
- Name, school, hometown, high school, birthday, screen name, interests, and friends, phone number, email address
What your child has access to:
- Check out the profile of anyone on their “friend list” – now they can view their friend’s profile that has pictures of a lot more friends and experiences.
- A list on the event page of party postings at their school.
- People that have similar interests so they can get together.
- See a list of who their friends are friends with.
What your child is able to do:
- They can send a message to anyone at their school or on their friend list. A message is private and only the friend can view it.
- Post a message on the Wall, which is public (all friends and anyone at the school can read it). This is where problems can begin, because friends can post a derogatory statement or a lie about the person for everyone to view. It may be a joke or not, but everyone is reading it.
- They can “Poke” – this can take the shape of flirting, just thinking of you or just being annoying… kids send a message that says, “You have been poked”. You then have the option to poke back or block it.
- Send photo albums or individual photos to their friends. Students often send pictures of party scenes, showing a “good time”. These can then be seen by administration at the school, and action is often taken against the student.
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Reasons Facebook is a concern:
Stalkers- People on your friend list and all students at your school have access to your child’s profile. They can also be looking at a profile, with another friend who doesn’t even go to the school and give that person info. Not only are they finding out personal information, but have a picture as well. This has been a problem and has led to not only people being stalked but threatening situations as well.
Illegal activities- Kids have been putting pictures of themselves doing illegal activities such as sexual activities, drinking and drugs. Police and administrators are cracking down on this and have made a number of arrests because of these photos.
Roommate Changes- Students are often given their school e-mail account over the summer. They then checkout their roommates profile. Some students do not like what they read, so change the roommate before giving the person a chance.
Creation of Anti-school racial and hate groups- Students have the ability to create groups on Facebook. Many anti groups have been formed which have caused issues to arise within the school. Students can also list names of club members that may or may not actually be apart of the group. Law enforcement agencies also have the ability to look at these groups.
Future Employment- Student’s should be mindful before putting up photos of themselves doing inappropriate or illegal things. There is a chance your first employer may be an alumni of your school and have access to your profile!!!!
What parenting advice does Deliberate Directions have for parents concerning facebook?
- Be sure you know your facts about facebook before you start to talk to your kids. It will be very easy for them to tangle you up, if you don’t.
- Stay to the facebook facts. They will try and take you off the subject, so it is important to stay on track.
- Present your concerns from an angle of lack of their privacy rather then use scare tactics. Remind them that administrators can view their profile and all parents need to do is get a password. Tell them that some children will be giving their parents their password, so you don’t know which parent will be looking at their profile.
- Don’t use facebook as their own private diary, as to many people have access to it.
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Cutting
Cutting has become a big concern for those of us with teenagers. And cutting doesn’t mean not attending classes...it means cutting one’s own skin. The kids that are doing it have unhealthy coping mechanisms. They have strong emotions and they don’t know how to deal with them. Cutting is an impulsive act to regulate a mood that is out of control. It is used as a form of self-mutilation, just like burning the skin with the end of a cigarette or with a lighter. It is a child’s way of trying to relieve the emotional pain within them. Dr. Favazzo of the University of Missouri feels it is the opposite of suicide, as these kids want to live. They are calling out for help.
What is the definition of cutting?
Cutting is the act of injuring oneself by making cuts or scratches on the skin, usually on the arms, legs, thighs or stomach, using a sharp object. The skin isn’t always broken but often is.
Signs to look for:
If your child is wearing long-sleeved shirts during a warm season, they may be covering up marks made by sharp objects.
If your child says that they have been scratched by a cat or other animal and this continues to happen, they may be cutting.
Your child becomes overly secretive.
You find tissues with blood stains on them in a wastepaper basket or stains on towels or items of clothing when you’re doing the laundry.
Why do children cut?
Kids cut when they have a high level of tension and they don’t have adequate communication skills to enable them talk about their issues. Cutting somehow refocuses or relieves the emotional pain and tension. These children may have had a traumatic experience in their life or they may have mental health problems. Cutting sometimes seems to numb their emotions. It can be triggered by anger, depression or frustration. Kids that cut often have mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, eating disorders, obsessive thinking or compulsive behaviors.
Concerns about cutting:
If a child makes too deep a cut, he or she can lose too much blood and require medical treatment.
A child can get an infection if he or she cuts with something that is not sterile.
Cutting can become an addiction.
Cutting can lead to drug and alcohol abuse because of its addicting power.
What should parents do if they know their child is cutting?
A child won’t listen if you simply tell her to stop cutting. It truly doesn’t help a child if you reject him, lecture her, or beg him to stop. It is important to show your child that you care and that she deserves to be healthy and happy. Find a therapist that your child can relate well to. You may have to interview a few before you find the right match. It is important to identify the underlying issue that is causing the cutting, whether it is a traumatic incident or a mental health issue.
Choking Game
American Dreams, Flatliner, Space Cowboy, Knock out, Gasp, Rising Sun, Airplaning, Hawaiian High and Blackout...
Are you wondering what all these words have in common? They are all names for a game some kids are playing today. It’s the Choking Game and it can cause brain damage or death. It’s something all parents should be aware of.
The Choking Game brings about a euphoric state by cutting off the flow of oxygen containing blood to the brain. A child will choke his friend until he or she passes out. The kid being choked “get off” on the rush that is supplied as the blood flow returns to the brain and they become conscious again. If a child does this to herself by using a rope or other device, no one is available to release the pressure if the child passes out. The child can’t help himself and thus death can occur.
This is not a new game, and apparently has been played over a number of generations. The new twist is kids doing it alone with other props. Obviously, more deaths are now occurring because of this. When you hear on the news of more deaths occurring from the Choking Game, more is written about it. Not only is this catching the attention of parents, but of kids who hadn’t heard about it before. So, more children are now trying it because of all the media attention it is stirring up.
Here are some signs that may help you determine whether your child is involved in this activity:
- Marks or bruises on the throat
- Severe headaches (more than normal)
- Ropes, belts, leashes, ties, shoelaces, etc. that you find around the house, or ties with knots.
- Unexplained cuts and bruises from falling
- Disorientation after spending time alone
- Locked doors to the bedroom
Kids play this game to be cool. It can also become addictive. Teenage kids think they are invincible and that nothing can happen to them. They just keep on trying new things without thinking of the consequences.
If you think your child is involved in this deadly game, get help. Monitor them very closely. Make sure other siblings are not involved. Let the school know you have a concern about your child and ask a counselor or a teacher to watch him. If your child is hanging around a particular friend all the time, check with that parent to see if she is also seeing signs. Professional help may also be needed. Just don’t wait too long, as the next time the game is played could be the last.
Information referenced from:
www.stop-the-choking-game.com
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