As a parent, I'm aware that most teens and tweens seem to be using their real
1) full names or
2) first names or
3) initials online as part of their email addresses or as names of their facebook profiles.
In fact, it's so common that when I try to stop my kids from using these 3 variations( encouraging made-up nicknames instead), they think I'm overly paranoid. Are they right?
I suppose we need to stay away from female names, so Anne would have to Andy, etc...but
Is chris10@yahoo.com or CR10@yahoo.com dangerous for a boy named Christopher Robin?
Is "chris" or "CK" dangerous for a boy named Christopher Robin to use as an ID on facebook if profile viewing is restricted to friends only?
Already, my kids' membership profiles on yahoo and facebook are filled with ficticious contact info with my blessing, so the email id and facebook id (and photo) are the only points of contention.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
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robertos
Posts:
3
From:
canada
Registered:
10/7/09
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(5 of 5)
Re: picking email/screen names for teens and tweens
Oct 8, 2009 6:12 PM
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Thanks again Anne!
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Anne
Posts:
504
Registered:
6/26/06
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(4 of 5)
Re: picking email/screen names for teens and tweens
Oct 8, 2009 1:25 PM
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Robertos, there are no hard-and-fast rules (we all continue to adjust to changing technology and emerging research), but she'll be just fine with that email too. There's nothing personally identifiable in that email address, but - even if there were - the best protection is her own good sense and behavior in using that address. For example, as an engaged parent, you have told her, I'm sure, not to seek out and communicate with people she's never met offline, and that's a reason why she'll be just fine. It's just important to keep the communication lines open and make sure she's using her head.
As for Facebook, I suggest you just check out its Terms of Service with your kids, including minimum age, no harassment of others, etc. The reason why so many young Facebook users use their real names is that they're mostly just socializing and communicating with their offline social networks - their friends at school. There are also privacy controls they can set to ensure that only their real-world friends can see what their posting. They can also set the privacy features so that their profile can't be seen by a search engine, to ensure they won't turn up in search results. You could go through the privacy features with them to make sure they're customizing the experience and controlling their privacy in ways that are just right for each of them.
Hope that helps. Best,
Anne
--
Anne Collier
ConnectSafely co-director |
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robertos
Posts:
3
From:
canada
Registered:
10/7/09
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(3 of 5)
Re: picking email/screen names for teens and tweens
Oct 8, 2009 11:52 AM
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Thank you Anne,
that already helps for picking email names for boys.
Please would you mind answering the 2 related questions:
1) How about email id's for teen girls... is Helen111@yahoo.com OK?
2) And for facebook profiles. It seems that EVERY friend of my kids on facebook uses real name and real profile photo. If my kids don't use their real photos and their real names, or at least their real first names, they'll definitely be an exception, and may not even be easily recognizable by their friends. Should I insist on a not-a-real portrait picture and no alluding to their real names or is that also too much?
Robertos
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Anne
Posts:
504
Registered:
6/26/06
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(2 of 5)
Re: picking email/screen names for teens and tweens
Oct 8, 2009 8:16 AM
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I don't think chris10@ or cr10@ are dangerous at all, robertos. I'm sure he'll be just fine with those addresses. Best,
Anne
--
Anne Collier
ConnectSafely co-director
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robertos
Posts:
3
From:
canada
Registered:
10/7/09
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(1 of 5)
picking email/screen names for teens and tweens
Oct 7, 2009 6:38 PM
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As a parent, I'm aware that most teens and tweens seem to be using their real
1) full names or
2) first names or
3) initials online as part of their email addresses or as names of their facebook profiles.
In fact, it's so common that when I try to stop my kids from using these 3 variations( encouraging made-up nicknames instead), they think I'm overly paranoid. Are they right?
I suppose we need to stay away from female names, so Anne would have to Andy, etc...but
Is chris10@yahoo.com or CR10@yahoo.com dangerous for a boy named Christopher Robin?
Is "chris" or "CK" dangerous for a boy named Christopher Robin to use as an ID on facebook if profile viewing is restricted to friends only?
Already, my kids' membership profiles on yahoo and facebook are filled with ficticious contact info with my blessing, so the email id and facebook id (and photo) are the only points of contention.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
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