Why My Kids Have Facebook Pages

(source)

We've all seen those viral messages about such and such a group that is sharing pictures of peoples kids to pervs online. We all know someone who refuses to get facebook or let their kids ten feet close to a computer for fear that their information will be saved and used against them for identity theft or other unmentionable things. And you know what? I get it. I really do. 

Given my day-to-day job the instinct I've developed over time is share. share. share! But at what point is it too much? Letting your kids open up their own facebook profiles? Getting them their own computers from which they themselves can do what they please on social media? Making a facebook page for your unborn baby?

Most people I know don't let their kids open their own Facebook Pages or Twitter Accounts until they're past the sign up age limit (14) for the networks. That seems fair. After all, they should be old enough and responsible enough to understand how to use the sites properly.

So then why did I create Personal Facebook Profiles for each of my kids? I mean they're not even close to the legal sign up age, right? (Big is 2.5 and Little is almost a year!) -- Am I crazy?

Keeping Your Kids Safe on Social Media

The internet was designed to browse porn.
There, I said it. 

Well, actually, first it was designed to send information from one university to another via a "web" of communication, but as soon as those nerds figured that out their next top priority was porn.

But the internet has evolved since then... like most humans the internet has a soft cuddly side also. There are plenty of ways that you can enjoy yourself without venturing into the "dark side" and the same goes for your little nerds, too!

"Explain that using the internet is just like driving a car or going
 out with your friends alone, you have to be responsible and you
 have to behave in a trustworthy manner."
(Source)

We know the internet has become a place for entertainment and education for all ages, and we know how to stay away from the dark side, but our kids may not. So how do we keep those little eyes away from things they're not prepared for, or even worse, away from people who wish to prey on them?

Here are a few important measures to take to ensure your child's safety when browsing the web:

(after the jump!)